Mayor Adams And NYCEM Commissioner Iscol Announce new way to Enroll in Notify NYC and Receive Neighborhood-Specific Text Message Alerts

April 23, 2025

New Yorkers Will Gain Hyperlocal Emergency Information Via Text Sign-Up  

Notify NYC Has Provided Real-Time Information to Over 1.2 Million New Yorkers Since 2009 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol today announced a new, easier way for New Yorkers to enroll in Notify NYC — New York City’s essential emergency information service that provides updates to subscribers via text, email, social media, RSS feed, and the NOTIFY NYC mobile application. Additionally, the city is launching a $430,000 marketing campaign through NYCEM to highlight the benefits of the Notify NYC system. 

Notify NYC has long been New Yorkers' most trusted source of local, customizable emergency alert information, and it is now easier than ever to get local text alerts without registering online for a Notify NYC account or downloading the mobile app. By texting “NOTIFYNYC” to 692-692, New Yorkers can sign up for citywide SMS text alerts, and for the first time ever, by providing their zip code when prompted, they'll be able to sign up for neighborhood-based SMS text alerts in English. 

"We are committed to making New York City safer every day, but we cannot do that without providing New Yorkers with the most effective and accessible information when an emergency occurs," said Mayor Adams. "By upgrading Notify NYC to more easily push out citywide alerts and now sending zip code-specific alerts, we’re ensuring residents receive both broad and localized updates, all through one simple text subscription, making it easier than ever to stay informed." 

"New Yorkers can now sign up for emergency alerts more easily than ever," said NYCEM Commissioner Iscol. "By texting ‘NOTIFYNYC’ TO 692-692, residents can receive citywide alerts, and by providing their zip code when prompted, they can get neighborhood-based alerts — all through a single, streamlined SMS text system. This enhancement reflects our administration’s commitment to keeping every New Yorker informed with timely, relevant updates and information to keep them, their loved ones, and their communities safe." 

Building upon the recently announced citywide SMS text opt-in, Notify NYC now integrates zip code-specific alerts in the SMS text subscription service, delivering hyperlocal, timely information to residents. With no mobile application download or email setup, this new capability makes it easier than ever for New Yorkers to stay informed and safe. New Yorkers who already receive Notify NYC text messages do not need to sign up again and will still receive timely, specific notifications according to their settings. This upgrade allows those who have not previously created an account to sign up for local SMS text alerts without using a web browser. 

The updated Notify NYC service leverages Nixle — a dynamic SMS text platform — to deliver targeted, neighborhood-specific alerts. Residents can effortlessly sign up for these localized updates by simply texting their zip code to 692-692. Those who wish to receive alerts for multiple locations, such as their workplace or children's schools, can easily add additional zip codes by texting them to the same number (692-692). Managing these subscriptions is straightforward: Users can view and modify all their subscribed zip codes and alert preferences through their Nixle.com account, specifically within the “Settings” tab. 

The alerts themselves encompass a wide range of critical information, including traffic delays, road closures and reopenings, service disruptions and restorations from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, power outage information from Con Edison and Public Service Electric and Gas Company, fires, water condition updates, ferry disruptions, school opening and closure notifications, planned flyovers, and other emergency activities. Residents retain full control over their subscriptions, with the ability to opt out of specific zip codes by texting “STOP” followed by the zip code at issue to 692-692, or to unsubscribe from all alerts by texting “STOP ALL.” 

For added convenience, users can also opt-in to receive email notifications by replying with their email address after subscribing to a zip code. Nixle prioritizes user privacy, ensuring that no location tracking occurs, and that personal information is never shared with the city or third parties.  

In the coming months, a $430,000 marketing campaign will launch to inform New Yorkers about the importance of receiving emergency alerts through Notify NYC. The campaign will focus on the practical, everyday notifications sent by the service, featuring 20-second spots of real New Yorkers receiving SMS messages about transit and traffic delays, flood and basement safety warnings, and blackout notifications. This approach aims to demonstrate the daily relevance of Notify NYC, encouraging residents to sign up for timely alerts. 

The campaign will utilize a variety of platforms, including social media, YouTube commercials, Google ads and ad searches, traditional, ethnic, and community media, and posters on subways, bus shelters, and other physical locations. Materials will be available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Traditional Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish, ensuring broad accessibility. 

Notify NYC started as a pilot program in December 2007 to communicate localized emergency information quickly to city residents. Since its citywide rollout in 2009, Notify NYC has been the city’s go-to source for emergency information, keeping over 1.2 million New Yorkers informed in real-time, in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. In Fiscal Year 2024, the service issued 2,750 unique messages — an increase from 2,215 messages in Fiscal Year 2023. Notify NYC’s average response time from incident onset to message issuance is only roughly six minutes. 

In July 2024, under the Adams administration, NYCEM announced the launch of a ground-breaking emergency preparedness campaign, marked by the introduction of the agency’s first-ever citywide multilingual mailer. This initiative aims to empower every New Yorker with the knowledge and tools needed to prepare for emergencies and stay informed through the Notify NYC alert system.  

Notify NYC is just one way the City of New York seeks to communicate urgent information to city residents. In addition to sending e-mails, text messages, tweets, and phone calls, NYCEM can activate New York City's Emergency Alert System, which sends information immediately via television and radio, as well as issue Wireless Emergency Alerts, which are critical emergency updates issued to all equipped cell phones in New York City. To learn more about the Notify NYC program, visit the NotifyNYC website or call 311. 

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