GHS/OCD Distributes NOAA Radios

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) distributed eighty-two (82) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Alert Radios, in accordance with the National Weather Service (NWS) - Guam Weather Forecast Office.

The radios were distributed today, November 5, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the GHS/OCD facility in Agana Heights. Training for use of the radios will be provided by NWS at a later date. The weather alert radios provide agencies the capability to receive immediate alerts for specific natural hazard events, including but not limited to typhoons, flash floods and tsunamis, directly from the NWS. The project is federally funded through the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.

The distribution on November 5, 2018 is also a way to celebrate “World Tsunami Awareness Day,” following a worldwide initiative through the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) to promote a global culture of tsunami awareness.

Agencies who received the alert radios include but are not limited to; schools, government of Guam agencies, and village Mayors’ offices. Back in 2015, GHS/OCD hosted a similar distribution of two-hundred and fourteen (214) NOAA radios to various agencies across school districts, government of Guam agencies, military partners and certain private and non-profit organizations. It is a goal of GHS/OCD to acquire more radios in the future.

The NOAA Weather Alert Radios can be ordered for purchase at some local home goods and department stores. The community is reminded that the radios are but one form of receiving weather related emergency information and alerts. GHS/OCD would utilize multiple forms of communication in the event of a real emergency; through local AM/FM radio stations, local media, GHS/OCD website at http://ghs.guam.gov, GHS/OCD social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), the Emergency Alert System and the All Hazards Alert Warning System.

For more information, contact GHS/OCD 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.