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.

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

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG), and Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) will conduct routine testing of the vital communication and advance warning system sirens, respectively, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, starting at 3:15 p.m.

GHS/OCD will test the All Hazards Alert Warning System (AHAWS) sirens in conjunction with NBG and AAFB monthly routine testing of the “Giant Voice (GV)” sirens.

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

Notice of Interest Period for Mitigation Grants Extended to March 28; Applicants Encouraged to Submit

Agana Heights, Guam - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has extended the Notice of Interest (NOI) period for the FY2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs to Friday, March 28, 2025.

Read more about Notice of Interest Period for Mitigation Grants Extended to March 28; Applicants Encouraged to Submit

Hazardous Surf and Dangerous Rip Currents Expected by Wednesday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office has the following advisories in effect:

A high surf advisory will be in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Friday. Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are expected. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion are expected. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

Read more about Hazardous Surf and Dangerous Rip Currents Expected by Wednesday

No Immediate Threat to Marianas Assessed from Reported North Korea Launch

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in conjunction with the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC), federal and military partners, continue to monitor events surrounding the region including reports of the recent launch of an unidentified projectile out of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) today.

Read more about No Immediate Threat to Marianas Assessed from Reported North Korea Launch

Press Release - Earthquake Recorded

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2025 (ChST)

Earthquake Recorded

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 that struck 75 km E of Yigo Village, Guam, with a depth of 63.7 km, at 6:02 a.m. (ChST).

As advised by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat to the Marianas from the earthquake. There were no major damages or injuries reported from the earthquake.

Read more about Press Release - Earthquake Recorded

Notice of Interest Period Remains Open for FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs

Agana Heights, Guam - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) informed stakeholders on November 26, 2024 of the opening of the Notice of Interest (NOI) period for the FY2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs.

Read more about Notice of Interest Period Remains Open for FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs

Hazardous Surf and Seas Remain; Inexperienced Swimmers Advised to Stay Out of the Water

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office has the following advisories in effect:

A high surf advisory remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 5 p.m. this afternoon. Large breaking waves of 8 to 11 feet are expected. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion are expected. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

Read more about Hazardous Surf and Seas Remain; Inexperienced Swimmers Advised to Stay Out of the Water

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

GHS/OCD will test the All Hazards Alert Warning System (AHAWS) sirens in conjunction with NBG and AAFB monthly routine testing of the “Giant Voice (GV)” sirens.

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

Hazardous Surf Remains, Inexperienced Swimmers Advised to Stay Out of the Water

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office has the following advisories in effect:

A high surf advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan until 4 p.m. this afternoon. Large breaking waves of 7 to 9 feet are expected. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion are expected. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

Read more about Hazardous Surf Remains, Inexperienced Swimmers Advised to Stay Out of the Water

Red Flag Warning Remains in Effect, Refrain from Outdoor Burning

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office advised very dry conditions and gusty winds will maintain a high fire threat.

A red flag warning remains in effect for Guam until 6 p.m. Friday. Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph, with higher daytime gusts, and humidity down to 50 to 60 percent at times are expected. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create ideal conditions for rapid spread of wildfires. Refrain from outdoor burning.

Read more about Red Flag Warning Remains in Effect, Refrain from Outdoor Burning

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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Definition of Terrorism

June 2018 is Typhoon Preparedness Month

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