Android device throwing error when interrupted by an alert. Causes?

I had an "Emergency Alert" on an Android device interrupt my application, triggering the end of a process, at which time my code checked the time in milliseconds with the code below,

var now = new Date();
var hourTwo = now.getTime();

Somehow this caused a repeated error each time it ran. At the same time my connection began to fade, possibly due to the mass text and impending storm. I mention this only to narrow down any possible causes as I am bewildered.

What might cause a disruption in such a basic function? Does the Date function on a device rely upon a connection or that a system alert has been closed so as to continue functioning?