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 Promotes September as National Preparedness Month

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) invite the island to celebrate September as National Preparedness Month (NPM). To commemorate the month, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero will declare NPM with a proclamation signing on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex, Large Conference Room.

The 2024 NPM theme is, “Empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities to Prepare for Risks and Disasters.”

Read more about GHS/OCD Promotes September as National Preparedness Month

Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect; Practice Caution

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a thunderstorm advisory, in effect for the Guam International Airport until 6 p.m. this evening. Thunderstorms are occurring within 20 nautical miles of the airport.

Heavy showers to the southeast of Guam continue to develop as they approach Guam. Be alert and take precautions as required. If outdoors, seek shelter if lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

Read more about Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect; Practice Caution

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, August 6, 2024, 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

Thunderstorm Warning in Effect; Practice Caution

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a thunderstorm warning, in effect for the Guam International Airport until 9 p.m. this evening. Thunderstorms are occurring within 5 nautical miles of the airport.

Be alert and take precautions as required. These storms have been producing occasional lightning. If outdoors, seek shelter if lightning is seen or thunder is heard.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/

Read more about Thunderstorm Warning in Effect; Practice Caution

Flood Advisory and Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect; Drive with Caution

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a flood advisory, in effect for all of Guam until 11 p.m. Heavy rainfall will cause urban and small stream flooding.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Dededo, Tamuning, Yigo, Mangilao, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Barrigada, Yona, Agana Heights, Andersen AFB, Talofofo, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, Inarajan, Asan, Merizo, Piti, Santa Rita, and Umatac.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautionary actions:

Read more about Flood Advisory and Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect; Drive with Caution

Flood Advisory in Effect; Drive with Caution

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a flood advisory, in effect for all of Guam until 11 p.m. Heavy rainfall will cause urban and small stream flooding.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautionary actions:

Read more about Flood Advisory in Effect; Drive with Caution

Weather Radar Could Return to Service on August 6

The WSR-88D (Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler) weather radar operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) in Guam and maintained by the U.S. Air Force with support from the NWS Radar Operations Center (ROC) remains offline at this time, but with an estimated return to service set for 6 August 2024.

Read more about Weather Radar Could Return to Service on August 6

GHS/OCD Hosts Multiple Training Opportunities

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in coordination with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), will host multiple training opportunities at the GHS/OCD facility in Agana Heights. The courses follow:

Read more about GHS/OCD Hosts Multiple Training Opportunities

Showers and Gusty Winds Possible Sunday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a special weather statement for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Showers and gusty winds could impact Guam and the Northern Marianas Sunday as a nearby tropical disturbance pushes through the region.

Read more about Showers and Gusty Winds Possible Sunday

Press Release - Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Gusts Still Expected the Next Few Days

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office maintains a hydrologic outlook for the Marianas. A surface trough is approaching the Mariana Islands today and showers are expected to increase across the region by tonight. Conditions will be unstable the next few days.

Locally heavy rainfall, and rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are still likely. Scattered rain showers may linger through Saturday into Sunday with additional rainfall amounts. Also, strong wind gusts to 30 mph or more can be expected near heavier showers.

Read more about Press Release - Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Gusts Still Expected the Next Few Days

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Wildfire

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Conserve water

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Definition of Terrorism

June 2018 is Typhoon Preparedness Month

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