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.

JIC Recovery Release No. 12 - DPHSS Update

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) provides important information on available services, temporary closures, delayed services, and postponed activities across DPHSS programs.

DPHSS Services Available
DPHSS Guam Community Health Center Services (Open to the Public)

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 12 - DPHSS Update

6:10 p.m. Press Release - No Tsunami Threat to Marianas from Japan Earthquake

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 that occurred 115 km ENE of Miyako, Japan, with a depth of 10.0 km, at 5:52 p.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.

Read more about 6:10 p.m. Press Release - No Tsunami Threat to Marianas from Japan Earthquake

JIC Recovery Release No. 11 - Disaster Debris Site Update; Green Waste Sites Updates

Disaster Debris Site Update
The Government of Guam, in coordination with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) continues to operate one (1) primary disaster debris site at Oka Point, Tamuning (also known as Ypao Point or the Old Memorial Hospital site). The disaster debris site is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 11 - Disaster Debris Site Update; Green Waste Sites Updates

JIC Recovery Release No. 10 - GDOE Announces Phased Reopening of Schools; Grab-and-Go Meals and Athletics Resumption

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) completed post-typhoon facility assessments following Typhoon Sinlaku. While the majority of campuses have been cleared for health and safety, a phased reopening will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Schools Cleared for Reopening
The following schools have met all safety, power, and water requirements and will resume normal operations on Tuesday, April 21:

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 10 - GDOE Announces Phased Reopening of Schools; Grab-and-Go Meals and Athletics Resumption

JIC Recovery Release No. 9 - DPHSS SNAP Update; Guam Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

SNAP Automated Mass Replacement Approved

The Division of Public Welfare of the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) announces that current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants will receive an Automated Mass Replacement (AMR) of a portion of their April 2026 benefit to support recovery following Typhoon Sinlaku.

After 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, SNAP participants will receive 63 percent of their April benefits automatically issued to their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 9 - DPHSS SNAP Update; Guam Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

JIC Recovery Release No. 8 - GWA Update; GPA Update

GWA Update

The Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) reports that as of 12 p.m., 90 of 98 wells are online, with 25 wells on standby power generation and 65 wells on the island-wide power system. GWA is aware of multiple reports of low to no water pressure affecting approximately 2,501 customers across the island - predominantly in parts of Yigo, Astumbo, Malesso’, Mangilao and Sånta Rita-Sumai.

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 8 - GWA Update; GPA Update

JIC Recovery Release No. 7 - School Updates

The Joint Information Center received the following school updates:

The University of Guam to resume classes on Monday, April 20, 2026.
The Guam Community College postsecondary classes will resume Monday, April 20, 2026 as regularly scheduled.
Charter Schools Update:
- Classes resuming tomorrow, Monday, April 20, 2026 for:
  - Business and Technology Academy Charter School (BTACS)

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 7 - School Updates

JIC Recovery Release No. 6 - GDOE Schools to Remain Closed Tomorrow; Catholic Schools Resume

GDOE Schools to Remain Closed Tomorrow; Personnel to Report for Recovery

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) public schools will remain closed to students tomorrow, Monday, April 20, 2026 due to ongoing health, safety, and operational concerns at several campuses.

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 6 - GDOE Schools to Remain Closed Tomorrow; Catholic Schools Resume

JIC Recovery Release No. 5 - GWA Update; GPA Update; GFD Generator Safety

GWA UPDATES:

The Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) reports that as of 10 a.m., 91 of 98 wells are online, with 53 wells on standby power generation and 38 wells on the island-wide power system. GWA is aware of multiple reports of low to no water pressure affecting parts of Barrigada, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Dededo, Mangilao, Yigo and Yona.

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 5 - GWA Update; GPA Update; GFD Generator Safety

JIC Recovery Release No. 4 - Disaster Debris and Green Waste Sites Established; GSWA Reminder; No Illegal Dumping; Open Burning Authorized for Green Waste Only

Disaster Debris and Green Waste Sites Established
As Guam moves into the recovery phase following the passage of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the Government of Guam, in coordination with the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA), and the Mayors Council of Guam, will open one (1) primary disaster debris site and ten (10) green waste sites across the island to assist residents with cleanup efforts.

Disaster Debris Site: Oka Point, Tamuning

Read more about JIC Recovery Release No. 4 - Disaster Debris and Green Waste Sites Established; GSWA Reminder; No Illegal Dumping; Open Burning Authorized for Green Waste Only

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