NYC Nuclear Attack Emergency PSA

On July 11 2022, a disturbing public service announcement purportedly created by the New York City Emergency Management Department began circulating on Twitter and TikTok:

Both variations alluded to an undisclosed reason for the timing of the video; on TikTok, a clip was captioned in part:

Fact Check

Claim: In July 2022, the New York City Emergency Management Department issued PSA advising residents on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack.

Description: On July 11, 2022, the New York City Emergency Management Department officially released a public service announcement (PSA) purportedly focusing on nuclear preparedness. This PSA was shared and circulated on various platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and the official NYC.gov website. Despite its disturbing implications, it was clarified that the likelihood of a nuclear incident occurring in/near New York City remains very low and that the aim of this PSA is to prepare New Yorkers for such ‘no-notice’ events.

Rating:

Rating Explanation: The claim is verified and confirmed by authoritative reference to an official press release on NYC.gov, the official webpage of the New York City, and independently published supportive evidence from YouTube and social media sites.

#NewYork #NewYorkCity #NYC #nuclear #Russia #russia???????? #JoeBiden #fyp #bibletok #christiantiktok #ReadyForHeaven #foryou …

Although the clip primarily circulated in individual uploads, a quick search led to a July 11 2022 press release published to NYC.gov, the official website for New York City. The page was titled, “New York City Emergency Management Introduces Nuclear Preparedness Public Service Announcement (PSA),” and it began:

July 11, 2022 — New York City Emergency Management Department today launched a new public service announcement (PSA) that focuses on nuclear preparedness. While the likelihood of a nuclear weapon incident occurring in/near New York City is very low, it is important New Yorkers know the steps to stay safe. The new PSA encourages New Yorkers to take key, simple steps in the event of such an incident.

“New York City Emergency Management has a multitude of free resources for New Yorkers to prepare for emergencies, including no-notice events,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “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.”

The PSA outlines three key steps New Yorkers should take:

  • Get inside.
  • Stay inside.
  • Stay tuned.

The text bolded above linked to a video on the YouTube page for the NYC Emergency Management Department, “Nuclear Preparedness PSA (with captions)”; comments for the clip were disabled. Text in the description read:

Jul 11, 2022 NYC Emergency Management shares important steps for New Yorkers to follow if a nuclear attack occurs.

For more information on how to be prepared for emergencies, visit NYC.gov/emergencymanagement or call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115).

On July 11 2022, clips purportedly depicting a New York City Emergency Management Department PSA about nuclear attacks began circulating on Twitter and TikTok. The clip was real, and it was shared to YouTube and publicized in a press release issued on July 11 2022. In that press release, the City asserted that “the likelihood of a nuclear weapon incident occurring in/near New York City [remained] very low,” adding that it was “important New Yorkers know the steps to stay safe” in the case of “no-notice events.”