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2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan <br />Kittitas County, Washington <br /> <br /> <br />Chapter 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 208 <br />people who remain outdoors for extended periods of time (e.g., houseless individuals, hikers). Frostbite <br />is a type of injury caused by freezing and it can permanently damage the body.267F <br />268 <br /> <br />Property Damage and Critical Facilities: Winter weather can severely impact critical infrastructure and <br />property by damaging and destroying buildings and equipment. These damages include frozen electrical <br />equipment, cracked water pipes, dangerous/damaged roads, damaged bridges, and damaged aircraft <br />systems.268F <br />269 During winter weather events, electrical infrastructure may fail due to damaged or destroyed <br />power lines and poles. If a structure is not in adequate condition, ice and snow accumulation can cause <br />significant roof and building damage which can result in collapse. Furthermore, snow and ice can weigh <br />down trees which can fall and damage communication and power lines, and other infrastructure. This <br />can cause power outages and leave people without electricity and heat for an extended period of time. <br />Severe winter weather in higher elevations can significantly impact the transportation system and the <br />availability of public safety services. Of particular concern are roads providing access to isolated areas <br />and the elderly. Winter weather comes with extreme cold temperatures that can stress the current <br />infrastructure due to increased electrical loads. This may lead to an unstable grid potentially resulting in <br />power loss, and severe impacts to critical infrastructure and property by damaging and destroying <br />buildings and equipment. <br /> <br />Between 2000 and 2023, snow, ice, and freezing rain accounted for 23% of the weather related power <br />outages in the United States. Weather related power outages have doubled in the last 10 years in the <br />United States.269F <br />270 <br /> <br />Economy: Over the past 40 years, winter weather and storms have incurred more than $120 Billion in <br />damages ranging from infrastructure damage (e.g., frozen electrical equipment) to building damage (e.g., <br />roof collapse).270F <br />271 Severe winter weather has a direct, negative impact on the local economy in the area. <br />In addition to direct damage, economic impacts may include reduced tourism, and delayed deliveries for <br />local businesses due to road conditions. Additionally, transportation routes would likely be impaired <br />during and immediately after a severe weather event due to ice and snow. Prolonged obstruction of <br />critical routes due to snow and ice can disrupt the shipment of goods and other commerce. Large, <br />prolonged storms can have negative economic impacts for Kittitas County and the entire region. <br /> <br />Changes in Development and Impact of Future Development: Changes in development have <br />minimally increased (4% or less) the vulnerability of Kittitas County to winter weather. Future <br />development may minimally increase (4% or less) the impact of winter weather within Kittitas County. <br /> <br />Underserved and At Risk Population: The underserved and at risk population within Kittitas County <br />that are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of severe winter weather and could suffer more secondary <br />effects of the hazards. These groups include, but are not limited to, the elderly, low income individuals, <br />people with limited English proficiency, those with life-threatening illnesses, and residents living in areas <br />that are isolated from major roads. The population that lives in isolated areas is a significant concern <br />areas because if roads become inaccessible, assistance will be delayed and if communication systems <br /> <br />268 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Prevent Hypothermia & Frostbite. Retrieved from <br />https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html. <br />269 Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). Extreme Cold. Retrieved from <br />https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/extreme-weather-and-climate- <br />change/extreme-cold. <br />270 Climate Central. (2024). Weather-related Power Outages Rising. Retrieved from <br />https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/weather-related-power-outages-rising. <br />271 Ibid.