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.

Community Invited to Participate in Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The Office of Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense (OHS-OCD), in coordination with the Guam Office of Technology (OTECH), invite the community to participate in Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM) throughout October. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero will recognize October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a Proclamation Signing on Friday, October 24, 2025, 2 p.m. at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex, Adelup, Large Conference Room.

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8:15 a.m. 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, October 7, 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.

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9:00 a.m. Community Invited to National Preparedness Month Grand Finale – September 27

The Office of Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense (OHS-OCD) invite the community to the National Preparedness Month (NPM) Grand Finale on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Agana Shopping Center.

The NPM Grand Finale marks the culmination of National Preparedness Month, observed each September to raise awareness about disaster and emergency readiness. This year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” highlights the importance of getting back to the essentials of preparedness.

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9:00 a.m. AHAWS Siren from Ft. Soledad, Humåtak Not Connected to Emergency

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) received reports of the All Hazards Alert Warning System (AHAWS) siren from the Ft. Soledad, Humåtak location sounding off this morning with a test announcement.

The Humåtak AHAWS siren sounding this morning is not connected with any emergency situation. Assessments are being made on the system to identify any issues and remediate as needed.

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10:00 a.m. FEMA Region 9 Pacific Partner Grocery Webinar -- September 30

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8:35 a.m. Community Invited to National Preparedness Month Grand Finale – September 27

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5:15 p.m. Earthquake Recorded

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 that struck 66 km E of Yigo Village, Guam, with a depth of 37.6 km, at 4:49 p.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 for Guam reported from the earthquake.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense remind the community that when an earthquake strikes, conduct the earthquake procedure, “Drop, Cover and Hold On” until the shaking stops.

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6:00 a.m. No Tsunami Threat to Marianas from Russia Earthquake

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.8 that occurred 128 km E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, with a depth of 10.0 km, at 4:48 a.m. (ChST).

As advised by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat to Guam and the CNMI from this earthquake.

This will be the final statement issued by GHS/OCD unless additional information is received.

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OHS-OCD Training Opportunities Rescheduled

The Office of Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense (OHS-OCD), in coordination with the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC), will host multiple training opportunities at the OHS- OCD facility in Agana Heights. The courses with revised dates follow:

Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Social Media Tools and Techniques (PER-344)

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11:40 a.m. Flood Advisory in Effect; Practice Caution

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a flood advisory, in effect for Guam until 12:15 p.m. this afternoon. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.4 to 1.6 inches are expected over the area, resulting in minor flooding.

The community is advised to take the following precautionary actions:

If driving, be alert for low visibilities in heavy rain;
Slow down where water is ponding on the road;

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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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