CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Donald Trump on Friday issued fresh threats of swift and forceful retaliation against nuclear North Korea, declaring the U.S. military "locked and loaded" and warning that the communist country's leader "will regret it fast" if he takes any action against U.S. territories or allies.
A Charlotte resident who formerly lived in Guam said she is worried for her friends still living on the island.
When Meagan Speck lived in Guam, her biggest fears were monsoons and brown tree snakes. She never expected the tiny island would be the potential target of a nuclear attack.
"I am pretty scared,” she said. “I just couldn't imagine if it was a few years ago, just going to bed kind of scared. I worry about my friends there too, right now."
In Guam, the Office of Homeland Security is handing out pamphlets in case of an imminent missile threat. Warnings are being issued to people if an attack happens to expect to stay inside for at least 24 hours unless told otherwise by authorities.
The governor of the island is trying not to cause a panic while at the same time, making sure everyone is ready.
"We are staying calm, living our lives, but yeah, at the same time, making preparations," Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo said.
Speck moved to North Carolina in 2012 but is still in touch with her friends back in Guam.
She said they are sticking together during this turmoil.
"They are so family-oriented and the community is so strong there that everybody is hoping for the best," she said.
She's hoping the violent rhetoric won't turn into force.
"Definitely want it to just chill out," she said.
Guam is home to around 160,000 Americans, many in the military. Officials said it would take 14 minutes for a ballistic missile to reach the island from North Korea.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- CMPD identifies man shot to death during apparent robbery, carjacking
- CMPD identifies victim, suspect in Charlotte's 56th homicide of 2017
- PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Contenders look to make moves during second round
- New skyscraper will transform Charlotte's iconic skyline
- Cancellation of I-77 tolls could potentially cost NC millions, study says
- WATCH: Keith Monday's weekend forecast outlook
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/CPEHEMYETVGMXPGPMRCU32QFJM.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SSADAFRW7JEYJMTUK5GOCB4AJE.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SANODGXKIRDXBIFTOFJNLP4BHA.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/KI2HPN6BIVBDHLZSXQIEDIJB2Y.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/5DRAFASKARGP5A7MI577VOQH4E.jpg)