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NYC releases 3-step Nuclear attack PSA amid Russian threats as Mayor Eric Adams defends preparedness

'And no, staying in the car is not an option,' the woman in the video says. 'You need to get into a building and move away from the windows'

Update: Mayor Eric Adams defended NYC's PSA on Tuesday, July 12, saying a nuclear attack preparedness spot from the Office of Emergency Management was a "great idea" born out of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.

Adams has said he doesn't believe the video was alarmist, telling reporters: “I’m a big believer in better safe than sorry...We're going to always be proactive, not panic, but we're going to be prepared." He also said that the message is that people should be prepared for any kind of disaster.

There are no imminent nuclear threats to New York City, Adams emphasized, but there will be a series of emergency management ads highlighting preparedness efforts. 

Still, many New Yorkers were left asking, “Why now?” It was seen by some residents as a hark back to the olden days, like in the 1970s when messages showing cartoon turtles softening the then-very real looming threat of nuclear annihilation were shown.

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New York City’s Emergency Management Department has released a 90-second public service announcement that features empty city streets and sirens going off in the background. On Monday, July 11, the department released step-by-step instructions on what to do in case the Big Apple comes under nuclear attack. This comes amid rising tensions between US-led NATO and Russia.

“So there’s been a nuclear attack. Don’t ask me how or why,” a woman walking a deserted city street says. "Just know that the big one has hit, OK? So what do we do?” The PSA laid out three actions needed to be taken should there be an attack. The first measure would be to get inside as quickly as possible. “And no, staying in the car is not an option,” the woman says. “You need to get into a building and move away from the windows.”

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Once inside, one must stay there and shut every door and window. “Have a basement? Head there,” she says. “If you don’t have one, get as far into the middle of the building as possible.” Residents who were outside when the blast occured must wash up at the earliest. “Remove and bag all outer clothing to keep radioactive dust or ash away from your body,” the PSA advises.

Following the media for more information is the final step, followed by signing up for Notify NYC for official alerts and updates to when one can safety get outside. An emergency management spokesperson told New York Post that the department aims at educating residents on natural and manmade hazards. “The likelihood of a nuclear weapon incident occurring in/near New York City is very low. However, it’s important New Yorkers know the steps to stay safe,” the spokesperson said. “The new PSA encourages New Yorkers to take key, simple steps in the event of such an incident.”

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said in a statement, “As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is important that New Yorkers know we are preparing for any imminent threats and are providing them with the resources they need to stay safe and informed.” But why now?

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Russian state media claimed Vladimir Putin could wipe out the entire East and West coast with just four missiles. The threat was issued by Alexei Zhuravlev, a member of Putin's puppet parliament. He said "there will be nothing left" on either coast after strikes using Russia's new Sarmat 2 nuke. He added that the mushroom cloud will be "visible from Mexico". Zhuravlev went on to threaten two million Ukrainians with annihilation, saying they were "incurable" Nazis who cannot be convinced to support Russia's war. These threats are just a few among several others that Putin's media has issued over the months. 

'The point of this PSA is to make people fearful'

Social media has various reactions to the PSA, with some claiming it was posted to make instil fear in residents' minds. "The point of this PSA is to make people fearful (again). When people are in fear, they are easier to manipulate and control," one user wrote. "The scariest part about that is when it says to “follow media for more information”," another commented. "Sounds like the average scare tactic isn't working, so they're going with the nuclear option to reinforce lockdown fear mentality. Surprised New York hasn't requested to build walls around the city. ... Didn't LA do that with their highways and guard towers or some such thing?" one user wrote, while another said. "No way they’d use this to scare people into staying inside around November. Noooo waaaay."