A 90-second public service video telling New Yorkers how to survive a nuclear attack has sparked bemusement and concern.

The clip, released by the city’s emergency management agency, shows a computer-generated street devoid of life while damaged skyscrapers can be seen in the background.

Mayor Eric Adams says he does not believe the video is alarmist, telling reporters: “I’m a big believer in better safe than sorry.”

NYC residents are accustomed to warnings about all kinds of potential threats, including severe weather, public health, and mass shootings.

A narrator says: “So there’s been a nuclear attack. Don’t ask me how or why. Just know that a big one has hit.”

It gives advice to residents, telling them to stay indoors and wash off any radioactive dust or ash.

Christina Farrell, the city’s emergency management deputy commissioner, said the video is not tied to any specific threats and is only about raising awareness.

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“There’s no overarching reason why this is the time we sent this out,” she said.

“It’s just one tool in the toolbox to be prepared in the 21st century.”

Ms Farrell said the agency’s goal is to empower people regarding a scary subject, and despite mixed reactions to the video, “people have thanked us that we are approaching this topic”.

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She added: “I don’t know if there’s ever the perfect moment to talk about nuclear preparedness.”

City officials have discussed implementing nuclear guidelines for quite some time, Ms Farrell said.

New York’s emergency response programme, Ready New York, has been in place since 2003.

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