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.

Small Craft Advisory and Rip Current Statement in Effect Sunday to Tuesday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Small Craft Advisory and Rip Current Statement in effect for East facing reefs of Guam Sunday at 500 a.m. until 500 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Combined seas are expected to increase up to around 10 ft Sunday with the arrival of higher trade swell and north swell. Winds are expected to increase to 20 to 25 kts Sunday becoming hazardous to small craft, decreasing by Monday.

Read more about Small Craft Advisory and Rip Current Statement in Effect Sunday to Tuesday

Press Release - No Immediate Threat Assessed from Reported Missile Launch

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD), in conjunction with the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC), federal and military partners, continue to monitor events surrounding the region including reports of the recent launch today.

“No immediate threat was assessed for Guam or the Marianas from the reported launch,” said Homeland Security Advisor, Esther Aguigui. “Events such as these will continue to be monitored by our office, while working with local, military, and federal partners.”

Read more about Press Release - No Immediate Threat Assessed from Reported Missile Launch

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, January 7, 2025, starting at 3:15 p.m.

Read more about GHS/OCD, NBG, and AAFB to Conduct Routine Testing of Advanced Warning Systems

Press Release- High Surf Advisory, Rip Current Statement in Effect

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam issued a High Surf Advisory and Rip Current Statement in effect until 4:00am Wednesday.

High Surf Advisory

Waves of 7 to 9 feet along north and east facing reefs. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions with localized beach erosion.

Rip Current Statement

High Risk of rip currents along north and east facing shores.

The offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense remind residents:

Read more about Press Release- High Surf Advisory, Rip Current Statement in Effect

High Surf, Small Craft Advisory and Rip Current Statement in Effect till Friday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a High Surf Advisory and Rip Current Statement in effect for West, North, and East facing reefs of Guam until Friday afternoon.

Large breaking waves of 8 to 11 feet and dangerous rip currents expected. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions with localized beach erosion expected.

Read more about High Surf, Small Craft Advisory and Rip Current Statement in Effect till Friday

Press Release - High Surf Advisory and Rip Current Statement in Effect Sunday to Monday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a High Surf Advisory and Rip Current Statement in effect for North facing reefs of Guam Sunday at 400 a.m. until 400 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet and dangerous rip currents expected. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions with localized beach erosion expected.

Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore and into deep water.

Surf along west facing reefs will be noticeably elevated.

Read more about Press Release - High Surf Advisory and Rip Current Statement in Effect Sunday to Monday

Press Release - High Risk of Rip Current Extended to Sunday

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office extended a Rip Current Statement, in effect for East facing reefs of Guam until early Sunday morning, December 22, 6:00 a.m.

Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

The offices of Guam Homeland Security/Civil Defense remind residents:

Swim near a lifeguard
If caught in a rip current, relax and float.
Don`t swim against the current.
If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.

Read more about Press Release - High Risk of Rip Current Extended to Sunday

Press Release - High Risk of Rip Current in Effect

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Rip Current Statement, in effect for East facing reefs of Guam until 6:00 p.m. this evening.

Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

The offices of Guam Homeland Security/Civil Defense remind residents:

Read more about Press Release - High Risk of Rip Current in Effect

Press Release – Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect for Guam International Airport

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Thunderstorm Advisory in effect for the Guam International Airport until 12:00 p.m.

Thunderstorms are possible or are occurring within 20 nautical miles of the airport.

The offices of Guam Homeland Security/Civil Defense remind residents:

· Be alert and take precautions as required. These storms have been producing occasional lightning.

Read more about Press Release – Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect for Guam International Airport

Press Release – No Tsunami Threat to Guam from Vanuatu Islands Earthquake

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 that occurred in the Vanuatu Islands at 11:47 a.m.

As advised by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat to Guam or the Marianas at this time. This will be the final statement issued by GHS/OCD unless additional information is received.

For more information, contact Acting Public Information Officer Stephen Cahill at (671) 489-9517 or via email at stephen.cahill@ghs.guam.gov.

Read more about Press Release – No Tsunami Threat to Guam from Vanuatu Islands Earthquake

26.7 C / 80 F

ABOUT GHS/OCD

ARE YOU READY?

PREPAREDNESS

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

OPERATIONS

CONTACT GHS/OCD

Wildfire

Fire Weather

Drought

Conserve water

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Definition of Terrorism

June 2018 is Typhoon Preparedness Month

Pages