Guam Homeland Security - Office of Civil Defense

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.

JIC Release No. 1 - Guam in COR 3; Take Precautionary Measures

As a precautionary measure, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has placed Guam in Condition of Readiness (COR) 3 at 11 a.m. today. At COR 3, damaging winds of 39-57 mph are expected within 48 hours.

On its current track, Tropical Depression 29W is expected to pass south of Guam. The closest point of approach to Guam is forecast around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning about 200 miles away from Guam. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 5 inches is possible through Wednesday.

Read more about JIC Release No. 1 - Guam in COR 3; Take Precautionary Measures

Tropical Storm Warning in Effect for Guam; Tropical Depression 29W Forms North of Chuuk

Read more about Tropical Storm Warning in Effect for Guam; Tropical Depression 29W Forms North of Chuuk

GHS/OCD and NBG to Conduct Routine Testing of Advanced Warning Systems

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) and U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) will conduct routine testing of the vital communication and advance warning system sirens, respectively, on Tuesday, December 3, starting at 3:15 p.m.

There are now nineteen (19) All Hazards Alert Warning Systems (AHAWS) installed on island. On November 5, GHS/OCD will test the AHAWS sirens in conjunction with NBG monthly routine testing of the “Giant Voice (GV)” sirens.

Read more about GHS/OCD and NBG to Conduct Routine Testing of Advanced Warning Systems

GHS/OCD Distributes Signs for Neighborhood Watch Program

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) recently acquired fifty-seven (57) signs for Guam’s Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP).

To commemorate the additional signs, GHS/OCD and the Guam Police Department will hold a hand-off ceremony on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex where Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio will recognize the hand-off to the Mayors’ Council of Guam and the Neighborhood Watch area commanders.

Read more about GHS/OCD Distributes Signs for Neighborhood Watch Program

NWS Monitors Systems in the Area; Prepare for Heavy Winds Expected Tuesday

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continue to monitor a number of potential major weather features in the region.

NWS is closely monitoring a tropical disturbance, Invest Area 94W, centered near Pohnpei, which is expected to gradually develop as it continues west north-west toward the Marianas the next couple of days. On its current track, 94W is expected to pass near or south of Guam late Tuesday or very early Wednesday morning. There is still uncertainty as to whether it will remain a disturbance or intensify as it makes its way near.

Read more about NWS Monitors Systems in the Area; Prepare for Heavy Winds Expected Tuesday

NWS Advisories Issued; Prepare for Heavy Winds and Avoid Dangerous Seas

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office continue to monitor a broad, weak circulation near Kosrae. Intensification, if any, is expected to be slow for the couple of days. The circulation, coupled with the trade-wind surge will produce windy conditions throughout the week. The following advisories are in effect:

Read more about NWS Advisories Issued; Prepare for Heavy Winds and Avoid Dangerous Seas

High Surf Advisory in Effect; Avoid Hazardous Seas

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office advised that winds associated with strong high pressure over the northwest pacific will generate swell and seas that will produce hazardous surf through the coming week.

A high surf advisory is now in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 6 p.m. Friday. Along north and east facing reefs, hazardous surf of 10 to 12 feet will continue through much of the week.

Read more about High Surf Advisory in Effect; Avoid Hazardous Seas

NWS Advisories Issued; Windy Conditions Expected the Next Few Days

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office, advised fresh to strong trade-wind surges will cause windy conditions across the Mariana Islands through at least Thursday, especially during the daytime hours. The following advisories remain in effect:

Read more about NWS Advisories Issued; Windy Conditions Expected the Next Few Days

NWS Advisories in Effect

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office has issued a small craft advisory, which is in effect until 6AM CHST Wednesday. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 22 to 33 knots are expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small crafts.

A trade wind surge has arrived and East-Northeast winds of 15 to 25 knots with occasional gusts to 35 knots will continue through the next several days. Combined seas of 6 to 8 feet today will build in response to the winds which have arrived Seas will likely reach 8 to 10 feet tonight or Saturday.

Read more about NWS Advisories in Effect

NWS Issues Thunderstorm Advisory

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a thunderstorm advisory for the Guam International Airport until 4 p.m. Thunderstorms are possible or occurring within 20 nautical miles of the airport.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind the community to be alert and take precautions by seeking shelter when lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

Read more about NWS Issues Thunderstorm Advisory

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Wildfire

Fire Weather

Drought

Conserve water

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Definition of Terrorism

June 2018 is Typhoon Preparedness Month

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