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2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan Kittitas County, Washington cause damage to household goods, fallen objects, merchandise, and other building content. However, major earthquakes can cause full or partial collapses of buildings, bridges, overpasses, and other critical infrastructure (e.9., lnterstate 90, hospitals, and schools). Broken gas lines and downed power lines can cause damaging fires, and hazardous materials may be released following an earthquake. Additionally, critical facilities involved in the production, transport, or storing fuel and/or supporting the electrical grid are extremely vulnerable and can be severely impacted by an earthquake. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides and avalanches in areas with steep terrain and loose soil which can result in blocked roads, property and critical infrastructure damage, and utility disruption all of which can affect emergency response. Please refer to the avalanche and landslide secfions of this Plan for further details on the vulnerability and impacts for each. Economy: Economic losses due to earthquakes arise from the destruction of structures and infrastructure, interruption of business activity, and a multitude of other reasons. Earthquakes have significant economic impacts that manifest in both short-term and long-term consequences. ln the short term, earthquakes typically result in the destruction of businesses, industries, and critical infrastructure (e.9., lnterstate 90, hospitals, and schools). This immediate damage can lead to issues such as looting and disruption of transportation networks, complicating business operations and economic relations. Long-term economic impacts include the extensive costs and time required for reconstruction of infrastructure, transportation systems, and homes. This rebuilding process demands substantial investment, diverting resources away from economic development, and leading to income losses. According to research by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), between 1998 and 2017, the economic loss directly attributed to earthquakes was at least $661 Billion in the United States.145 There is no impact to one (1) specific industry, but the local and regional economy can be severely impacted if individuals are unable to work or spend due to the severity of the incident. Changes in Development and lmpact of Future Development: Changes in development have minimally increased (4% or less) the vulnerability of Kittitas County to earthquakes. Future development may minimally increase (4% or less) the impact of earthquakes within Kittitas County. Underserved and At Risk Population: The underserved and at risk population face unique vulnerabilities and impacts as a result of earthquakes. These groups include, but are not limited to, low- income households, the population over 65 years old and under 16 years old, and individuals with access and functional needs. The low-income population do not have the financial resources to enhance their homes to prevent and mitigate earthquake damage, and are less likely to have insurance to help compensate for the losses of earthquake damage. The elderly and younger population may have more difficulty in taking the appropriate precautions during and after an earthquake without additional assistance. Additionally, the elderly and individuals with access and functional needs may be more socially isolated and are more likely to need special medical attention which may not be available in the event of isolation caused by an earthquake. Effects of Climate Change in Severity of lmpacts: The exact nature and extent of this impact still needs to be studied and fully understood as it pertains to climate change. However, climate change can increase the risk of earthquake cascading hazards (e.9., landslides, flooding, avalanche). Ihe impacts of climate change for landslides, flooding, and avalanche are addressed separately in this Plan. 145 Quantectum: Earthquake Forecasting Center. (n.d.). Earthquakes' lmpact on Society. Retrieved from https://quantectum.com/bloq/the-impact-earthquakes-have-on-societv/. Chapter 4: Hazard ldentification and Risk Assessment 117