New York City’s PSA on surviving nuclear attack accused of being alarmist

A nuclear attack has not hit New York, but the city’s emergency management department wants residents to be prepared if one does occur. The department released a 90-second video advising citizens to stay indoors and wash off any radioactive dust or ash.

It opens on a computer-generated street, devoid of life. Damaged skyscrapers can be seen in the background. Looking into the camera, the narrator says: “So there’s been a nuclear attack. Don’t ask me how or why. Just know that the big one has hit.”

The announcement left many in the city and elsewhere confused, wondering if there was an active threat that had been missed. Christina Farrell, the city’s emergency management deputy commissioner, said the video isn’t tied to any specific threats.

“There’s no overarching reason why this is the time we sent this out,” Farrell told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It’s just one tool in the toolbox to be prepared in the 21st century.”

One user took to Twitter writing, “Come on, y’all. At least wait till there’s an actual threat.”

Officials defended the public service announcement and stressed there was no imminent threat to the city after the animated ad alarmed and baffled the city’s residents.

Mayor Eric Adams has said he doesn’t believe the video was alarmist, telling reporters in a briefing, “I’m a big believer in better safe than sorry.”