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, November 5, 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 from eighteen (18) locations, with the JFK location being the only exception due to a part replacement, in conjunction with NBG monthly routine testing of the “Giant Voice (GV).”

Residents, visitors and motorists surrounding the AHAWS sirens and GV speakers can expect to hear pre-scripted voice messaging announcing the start and end of the test, and ten-seconds of the “Alert” tone, which can be heard here: http://www.whelen.com/mass/audio/Euro%20Tones%20Wav%20Files/Alert.wav.

Future tests of the AHAWS sirens will be conducted on a monthly basis, in conjunction with NBG and will typically fall on the first Tuesday of each month, unless it falls on an observed holiday.

The following are a list of AHAWS siren sites, to include the two recently installed trailer-mounted sirens:

GHS/OCD facility, Agana Heights
Agat Marina
JFK High School (not to be tested on November 5)
Talofofo Elementary School
Asan Mayor's Office
Pago Bay A-Frame South End
Inarajan Elementary School
Yona Mayor's Office
Ft. Soledad, Umatac
GWA Pump Station, Merizo
Ija Agricultural Station, Inarajan
Port Authority of Guam
Agat Senior Citizen's Center
Hotel Nikko Guam
Tamuning Mayor’s Office
George Washington High School
Piti Village
GWA site, Malojloj
Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex, Adelup

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov or NBG Public Affairs Officer, Theresa Merto Cepeda at (671) 339-2663 or via email at theresa.cepeda@fe.navy.mil.

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.