Chinese Commercial Launch Prompts Affirmative Action

On Friday, December 27, 2019 around 11:25 p.m., the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) received multiple reports and inquiries of recordings of what appeared to be a streaking fireball falling from the sky.

Working with partners from the U.S. National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Guam, GHS/OCD issued the first notice to the public that it was considered a possible meteorite, but could not definitively state what it was.

Separately, Chinese media outlets reported that a heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket carrying a test satellite payload blasted off from the Weycheng launch site on the Southern Island of Hainan. This corresponded with a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notice to Airmen of the mission. GHS/OCD then issued a second statement based on the new, updated information received.

GHS/OCD worked to provide timely information to the public with the information at hand.

“This incident was not a threat to the Marianas. Following the Chinese launch event, I have met with Joint Region Marianas and am working closely with the FAA on a way forward for incidents like these,” stated Tim Aguon, Homeland Security Advisor. “I am grateful for the working relationships we have now with JRM. Our office, along with our local, military and federal partners, will continue to monitor the events surrounding our region.”

“From the event, we found the gaps in communication between federal authorities and their counterparts,” stated Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “I have instructed the Homeland Security Advisor to help close those gaps in the future. The safety of the community is our priority here and part of that is making sure all are informed so when incidents do happen, they can prepare and react accordingly.”

For more information contact Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 489-2540 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.