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Climate Change Exposure, Sensitivity and Vulnerability The following summarizes changes in exposure and vulnerability to the landslide hazard resulting from climate change:  Population and Property—Population and property exposure and vulnerability would be likely to increase because of climate change impacts on the landslide hazard. These events may occur more frequently and may see increases to the size of the hazard area itself.  Critical facilities—Critical facility exposure and vulnerability would be likely to increase due to climate change impacts on the landslide hazard. Critical facility owners and operators may experience more frequent disruption to service provisions resulting from landslide hazards. For example, transportation systems may experience more frequent delays if movements blocking these systems occur more frequently.  Environment—Exposure and vulnerability of the environment would be likely to change because of climate change. More frequent movements and volume in river systems may impact water quality and sediment and have negative impacts on stressed species. 17.2.6 Sea Level Rise Climate Change Impacts on the Hazard Climate change is expected to have a large effect on sea level rise. Warming ocean temperatures cause water to expand, with a resulting rise in sea level. Sea level also rises as increasing temperatures melt polar ice caps at an increasingly expedited rate. Sea level rise will likely result in non-rain flood conditions, as well as the extension of tsunami inundation areas further into San Mateo County communities. Infrastructure systems that support San Mateo County businesses and communities will also likely be impacted as rising sea levels expose infrastructure to salt water. Exposure, Sensitivity and Vulnerability As land area in San Mateo County continues to experience inundation by sea level rise over the next several decades, exposure and vulnerability to sea level rise are highly likely to increase for population, property, critical facilities, and the environment. Changes to the sea level rise hazard from climate change will likely result in greater economic vulnerability in a larger number of communities, businesses, and economic centers in San Mateo County, as well as their supporting infrastructure systems. Sea level rise inundation will also impact the property value of many properties, as coast-side and bay-side areas of the County experience sea level rise inundation. 17.2.7 Severe Weather Climate Change Impacts on the Hazard Climate change presents a challenge for managing severe weather risks. According to the 2018 U.S. National Climate Change Assessment, the United States saw twice as many high temperature records as low temperature records over the previous two decades. At the same time, heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more severe. The increase in average surface temperatures will likely lead to more intense heat waves. Heat waves and the number of high-heat days are already increasing in San Mateo County. According to Cal-Adapt, 17-15