JIC Recovery Release No. 37 - Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Open; Report Suspicious Activity to Local Authorities; No Burn Notice Remains in Effect - GHS OCD

Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Open:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with other federal and local partners, have opened two additional DRCs today at the C.L. Taitano Elementary School and the Inalahan Mayor’s Office/Community Center, with regular hours of operation beginning Thursday, June 8.

Regular hours of operations for all four DRCs will be seven days a week from 7 am –7 pm.

Guam Community College (GCC), Building E
Dededo Sports Complex
C.L. Taitano Elementary School
Inalahan Mayor’s Office/Community Center

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. The DRC will be open to assist island residents impacted by Typhoon Mawar with disaster relief programs.

A DRC may be able to help you:

Apply for FEMA Assistance online
Learn more about disaster assistance programs
Learn the status of your FEMA application
Understand any letters you get from FEMA
Find housing and rental assistance information
Get answers to questions or resolve problems
Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance
Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs

Please have the following available when you arrive:

Valid form of identification: Driver’s license, Guam ID or Passport

Proof of home address (i.e. utility bill, rental agreement, etc.)
Condition of your damaged home
Insurance information, if available
Social Security card or number
Best contact number
Mailing address or email address

Guam homeowners and renters who were affected by Typhoon Mawar can also register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362, visiting disasterassistance.gov or downloading the application on the FEMA App. For more information about registration, processing and FEMA’s Individual Assistance Programs, visit fema.gov.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information ready:

A current phone number
Address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
Social Security number
List of damage and losses
Banking information if you choose direct deposit
If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Survivors may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from Typhoon Mawar. If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs, as well as other disaster-related expenses.

To date, over 13K Guam residents have applied for disaster assistance.

Report Suspicious Activity to Local Authorities:

While official reports of this have not been made, the community is advised to be aware of potential con artists or criminals posing as disaster assistance in order to obtain money, steal personal information, or garner items. Be mindful that:

Disaster assistance officials carry official photo ID badges;
Disaster assistance officials never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications;
Be wary of unexpected phone calls or visits from people claiming to be housing inspectors or claiming they work for FEMA if they do not reference your application number. Know that official FEMA representatives will have your FEMA application number to reference;
Do not give out banking information to a person claiming to be a housing inspector.

The community is advised to report any suspicious activity or suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC) at (671) 475-0400 or via email at mrfc@ghs.guam.gov, following the Department of Homeland Security’s campaign, “If You See Something, Say Something.” Information that is provided to the MRFC will be recorded and properly disseminated to all pertinent authorities.

No Burn Notice Remains in Effect:

The Guam Fire Department (GFD) reminds the community to refrain from burning debris and/or trash. Low water supply throughout the island will challenge response to extinguishing fires. Be mindful of members within the community who have medical conditions in which the elements could have its effects. Due to these reasons, GFD is not issuing burning permits. Be advised it is illegal to burn without a permit and you may be issued a citation. Call the Guam Fire Department to report unauthorized burning.

Visit the following links for the latest information:

Governor’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam
GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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 Recovery Release No. 37 - Additional Disaster Recovery Centers Open; Report Suspicious Activity to Local Authorities; No Burn Notice Remains in Effect