Baffling Warning About Nuclear Attack Puts New Yorkers on Edge

A 90-second video lays out steps in case of an attack on the city.

NYC Emergency Management via AP
A NYC Emergency Management video on July 12, 2022 instructs New Yorkers on what to do if the city comes under nuclear attack. NYC Emergency Management via AP

New Yorkers are “baffled” by a warning put out by New York City about the chance of a nuclear attack, the Associated Press says. The confusion follows the release by the city’s office of emergency management of a public service announcement last Monday with advice on what to do after “the big one has hit.” 

The 90-second video, set in a computer generated post-apocalyptic New York, “devoid of life,” as the AP describes it, with “damaged skyscrapers” in the background.

The video lays out three steps in case of an attack on the city: get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned for more information. If you were outside during the blast, the spokesperson warns, remove and bag all clothing, and shower to avoid contact with nuclear dust.

The deputy commissioner for the emergency management office, Christina Farrell, told AP the PSA is not in response to any specific threat, and is instead “just one tool in the toolbox to be prepared in the 21st century.”

Though the video, which has been viewed almost 800,000 times, confused and worried many New Yorkers, Mayor Adams told reporters on Tuesday that he didn’t think it was alarmist.

“I’m a big believer in better safe than sorry” he said, adding that “this was right after the attacks in the Ukraine” and that New York City is “one of the top terrorist threats.” He said that similar videos would be released soon ahead of hurricane season. 

According to a Global Strategy Group survey last year, only 12 percent of the 1,000 New Yorkers polled said that they were prepared in the event of a radiological incident. 

The video closes with an unexpectedly cheerful message: “You’ve got this.” 


The New York Sun

© 2024 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use