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<br /> <br />2021 Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan <br /> <br />high-heat days are likely to increase from a historical average of 4 days annually in San Mateo County to 11 to 20 <br />days by the end of the century. This would be coupled with an increase in heat waves and warm nights. <br /> <br />Climate change impacts on other severe weather events such as thunderstorms and high winds are still not well <br />understood. <br /> <br />Exposure, Sensitivity and Vulnerability <br />The following summarizes changes in exposure and vulnerability to the severe weather hazard resulting from <br />climate change: <br /> Population and Property—Population and property exposure and vulnerability would be likely to increase <br />as a direct result of climate change impacts on the severe weather hazard. Severe weather events will <br />likely occur more frequently, therefore most likely increasing exposure and vulnerability at the same time. <br />Secondary impacts, such as the extent of localized flooding, may increase, impacting greater numbers of <br />people and structures. <br /> Critical facilities—Critical facility exposure and vulnerability would be likely to increase as a result of <br />climate change impacts on the severe weather hazard. Critical facility owners and operators may <br />experience more frequent disruption to service provision. For example, more frequent and intense storms <br />may cause more frequent disruptions in power service. <br /> Environment—Exposure and vulnerability of the environment would be likely to increase as a result of <br />climate change impacts on the severe weather hazard. More frequent storms and heat events and more <br />intense rainfall may place additional stress on already stressed systems. <br /> <br />17.2.8 Tsunami <br />Climate Change Impacts on the Hazard <br />The impacts of global climate change on tsunami probability are unknown. Some scientists say that melting <br />glaciers could induce tectonic activity, inducing earthquakes that result in tsunamis. Other scientists have <br />indicated that underwater avalanches (also caused by melting glaciers), may result in tsunamis. Even if climate <br />change does not increase the frequency with which tsunamis occur, it may result in more destructive waves. As <br />sea levels continue to rise, tsunami inundation areas would likely reach further into communities than current <br />mapping indicates. <br /> <br />Exposure, Sensitivity and Vulnerability <br />The following summarizes changes in exposure and vulnerability to the severe weather hazard resulting from <br />climate change: <br /> Population, Property, and Critical Facilities—Population, property, and critical facility exposure and <br />vulnerability to the tsunami hazard may increase as a result of climate change related sea level rise. As <br />sea levels rise, tsunami impact areas may reach into parts of the community that were previously believed <br />to be outside of the tsunami risk area. This reach will depend on the size of the tsunami, the local <br />topography, and the extent of sea level rise. <br /> Environment—Exposure and vulnerability of the environment to tsunamis may be impacted by the <br />effects of climate change. In particular, sea level rise could alter the shape of existing shoreline, putting <br />different structures and ecosystems closer to the shoreline and potential tsunami impacts. These assets <br /> <br /> <br />17-16