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.

Press Release- Flash Flood Watch in effect 6pm through Thursday Morning

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Flash Flood Watch in effect for Guam from 6pm this evening through Thursday morning, October 20-24.

Be prepared for the possibility of 5 to 10 inches of rain from this evening through late Wednesday night as a monsoon disturbance develops across the region. Heavy rainfall may potentially last longer possibly extending the flash flood watch.

Read more about Press Release- Flash Flood Watch in effect 6pm through Thursday Morning

Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 400pm

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Flood Advisory in effect for Guam until 400pm.

Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due with .4 and .8 inches of rain having already fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of .6 and 1.2 inches are expected resulting in minor flooding.

Some areas that will experience flooding include: Dededo, Tamuning, Yigo, Mangilao, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Barrigada, Yona, Agana Heights, Anderson AFB, Talo'fo'fo, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, Inalåhan, Asan, Malesso’, Piti, Sånta Rita and Humåtak.

Read more about Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 400pm

Press Release- Flood Watch in Effect from Monday Morning through Thursday Morning

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Flood Watch in effect for Guam from Monday to Thursday morning, October 21-24.

Be prepared for the possibility of 4 to 8 inches of rain Monday through Wednesday night as a monsoon disturbance develops across the region.

Residents be advised, excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

Read more about Press Release- Flood Watch in Effect from Monday Morning through Thursday Morning

Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 600pm; Central & Southern Guam

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Flood Advisory in effect for Central and Southern Guam until 600pm.

Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due with .4 and .6 inches of rain having already fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of .6 and 1.2 inches are expected.

Some areas that will experience flooding include: Dededo, Tamuning, Yigo, Mangilao, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Barrigada, Yona, Agana Heights, Talo'fo'fo, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, Inalåhan, Asan, Malesso’, Piti, Sånta Rita and Humåtak.

Read more about Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 600pm; Central & Southern Guam

Press Release – Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense Announce Extension for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Applications

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) announced that Guam will receive funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The funding stems from the psidential Disaster Declaration, which was issued in response to Typhoon Mawar.

The HMGP funding is available to Government of Guam entities and private non-profit organizations for mitigation measures and improvements. The initial sub-application deadline was August 23, 2024, but has been extended to November 15, 2024.

Read more about Press Release – Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense Announce Extension for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Applications

Press Release- Marcial A. Sablan and Mt Carmel to conduct Tsunami Evacuation Drill October 17, 2024 10:18am

Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHSOCD) is pleased to announce that Mt. Carmel and Marcial Sablan Elementary Schools will conduct a local tsunami evacuation drill on October 17, 2024, at 10:18 AM. This drill will follow the Great Guam Shakeout, reinforcing our community's preparedness for natural disasters.

Read more about Press Release- Marcial A. Sablan and Mt Carmel to conduct Tsunami Evacuation Drill October 17, 2024 10:18am

Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 715pm; Southern Guam

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Flood Advisory in effect for Guam until 715pm.

Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms south, with 1 to 2 inches an hour.

Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas for southern Guam.

Some areas that will experience flooding include: Yona, Talo'fo'fo, Inalåhan, Malesso’, Piti, Asan, Sånta Rita and Humåtak.

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

Read more about Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 715pm; Southern Guam

Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 715pm

The National Weather Service (NWS) Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a Flood Advisory in effect for Guam until 715pm.

Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms approaching western shores. Rain rates are about 2 to 5 inches an hour.

Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas for central and northern Guam.

Some areas that will experience flooding include: Dededo, Tamuning, Yigo, Mangilao, Chalan Pago-Ordot, Barrigada, Yona, Hagatna Heights, Andersen AFB, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, Asan and Piti.

Read more about Press Release – Flood Advisory in effect until 715pm

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 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. Thunderstorms are possible or occurring within 20 nautical miles of the airport.

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

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

Read more about Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect; Practice Caution

Community Invited to Participate in the 2024 Great Guam ShakeOut; October 17, 2024 10:17am

Guam will soon take part in the world’s largest earthquake drill, the Great ShakeOut. On Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 10:17 a.m. (ChST), participants will practice the earthquake response procedure; “Drop, Cover and Hold On” from wherever they are. The drill will last for one minute.

Read more about Community Invited to Participate in the 2024 Great Guam ShakeOut; October 17, 2024 10:17am

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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

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