Over Recent NKorea Threats, Guam Warns Residents: ‘Don’t Look at the Flash or Fireball’

Over Recent NKorea Threats, Guam Warns Residents: ‘Don’t Look at the Flash or Fireball’
The proposed Fiscal Year 2024 U.S. defense budget includes $80 million for a U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), such as this one being used by the South Korean Army in 2017, to be delivered to Ukraine. South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images
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After North Korea threatened to launch a missile attack against Guam this week, the U.S. island was issued a new fact sheet giving guidelines to help residents prepare for “imminent missile threats.”   

Guam Homeland Security issued the new information on Friday, Aug. 11.

The fact sheet offers advice if caught outside including, “Do not look at the flash or fireball – It can blind you” and “Take cover behind anything that might offer protection.”

“Lie flat on the ground and cover your head. If the explosion is some distance away, it could take 30 seconds or more for the blast wave to hit,” the fact sheet states.

President Donald Trump said in a tweet Friday, Aug. 11, that the United States is prepared if North Korea acts. 

“Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!” 

During a missile threat, residents are recommended to take cover as quickly as possible under a concrete structure or below ground after a warning is issued.

And if outside during or after the blast, the agency recommends people “get clean as soon as possible” to remove radioactive material. It said removing clothing can remove up to 90 percent of any radioactive material on the body.

In a special address on Aug. 9, Gov. Calvo said that the threat level has not changed. 

“I want to reassure the people of Guam that currently there is no threat to our island. 

“There are several levels of defense all strategically placed to protect our island and our nation,” he said. 

Calvo said the White House reaffirmed its protection of Guam after he reached out to officials. 

“I’ve reached out to the White House this morning, an attack or threat on Guam is a threat or attack on the United States, they have said that America will be defended ... Guam is American soil,” he said. 

“We are not just a military installation, with that said I want to ensure that we are prepared for any eventuality,” Calvo said. 

Residents are also told to avoid going outside for at least 24 hours to avoid any radioactive material unless otherwise told by authorities.  

Missiles from North Korea can reach Guam relatively quickly. Local officials said North Korean missiles can reach Guam in 14 minutes, according to Guam Pacific Daily News

The fact sheet also states, Homeland Security wants residents to prepare an “emergency supply kit” and a “family emergency plan.” 

From NTD.tv 

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The intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on July, 4 2017. (KCNA/via REUTERS)
The intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on July, 4 2017. KCNA/via REUTERS