GHS/OCD Promotes Typhoon Preparedness Month – June 2021 - GHS OCD

Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero will declare the month of June 2021 as Typhoon Preparedness Month (TPM) to promote typhoon hazard preparedness as an active collaboration among federal, territorial and local emergency management agencies, community leaders and the public. The Typhoon Preparedness Month Proclamation Signing will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m., via Zoom and can be watched on the Governor’s Facebook page.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) invite the community to participate in TPM. Although Guam continues to respond to the COVD-19 pandemic, it is important to also prepare for one of Guam’s most prevalent natural hazards - typhoon season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the community is reminded to anticipate added complexities of conducting preparedness activities for typhoons while taking protective measures.

The National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in conjunction with several states and territories, declare a Typhoon Preparedness Week for their respective areas each year to encourage people to prepare for Typhoon disasters. With typhoons being one of Guam’s most frequent natural disasters, GHS/OCD, with emergency management partners, have extended the initiative for a month. TPM provides an excellent opportunity to highlight Guam’s abilities to recognize the threat storms and typhoons pose to our community.

Throughout the month of June, GHS/OCD will promote information through social media about typhoon preparedness. Each week in June will have separate themes and focus:

Week 1, June 1 - 6:
- Determine Your Risk
- Pet and Family preparedness.
Week 2, June 7 - 13:
- Help Your Neighbor
- Vulnerable Population Preparedness
Week 3, June 14 - 20:
- Get An Insurance Checkup
- Strengthen Your Home
Week 4, June 21 - 27:
- Complete a Written Plan
- Develop an Evacuation Plan
- Assemble Disaster Supplies
- Shelter Safety
Week 5, June 28 - 30:
- Lightning Preparedness Week
- Power Outage Safety
- Food and Water Safety

Those interested in participating and finding more information throughout the month are encouraged to follow Guam Homeland Security on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/, follow @guamhomelandsecurity on Instagram and visit the GHS/OCD website at www.ghs.guam.gov.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to use TPM as a chance to open discussions with friends and family about typhoon preparedness by using the following resources:

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Typhoon Program Manager Maria Romulo at (671) 475-9600/ 483-0395 or via email at marialoralyn.romulo@ghs.guam.gov.

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

Click here to view 2021 Typhoon Preparedness Month Proclamation Signing Ceremony

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 Promotes Typhoon Preparedness Month – June 2021