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

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.

HMGP awards can be used to fund projects that protect public or private property and reduce risks to people and property on Guam. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, relocating structures from hazard-prone areas, retrofitting structures to withstand flooding, and developing comphensive mitigation plans.

pviously notified eligible government of Guam entities and private non-profit organizations are encouraged to start the HMGP application process. To proceed, applicants must submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) form to Amanda Blas, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, by November 1, 2024. Completed project sub-applications are due by November 15, 2024.

For information on hazards, risks, and local mitigation priorities, applicants can refer to Guam’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, available on the GHS/OCD website: [Guam 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan]

For more details, please contact Amanda Blas, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, at 671-687-6219 or via email at amanda.blas@ghs.guam.gov. Additional information can also be found at FEMA’s website: [FEMA Mitigation Grants]

Resources:

[Guam Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024]

https://ghs.guam.gov/sites/default/files/guam_2024_hmp_20240711_ms_updated_maps.pdf

[FEMA Mitigation Grants Website]

https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation

Notice of Interest, (NOI)

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