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2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan Kittitas County, Washington for public and private transportation. Furthermore, landslides can impact bridges when abutments are destroyed or compromised resulting in closure. Utility lines can be damaged by landslides leading to service interruptions. Landslides could impact the conveyance of irrigation water during the growing season resulting in severe indirect economic impacts. Other critical facilities potentially vulnerable to landslides include hospitals, healthcare facilities, emergency services, and schools. Economy: Direct economic impacts due to landslides include the repair of roads and propefties, road cleanup, and loss of life. lndirect economic impacts include the loss of property value and tax revenue, and environmental impacts (e.g., water quality degradation).-ttu Businesses that heavily rely on the transportation infrastructure (e.9., movement of inventory) can be disrupted in the event that a landslide impacts or damages transportation lifelines. Kittitas County has a significant agricultural sector and the loss of the ability to deliver irrigation water would create direct economic impacts. Changes in Development and lmpact of Future Development: Changes in development have slightly increased (between 5o/o and 9%) the vulnerability of Kittitas County to landslides. Future development may minimally increase (4% or less)the impact of landslides within Kittitas County. Underserved and At Risk Population: The underserved and at risk population face unique vulnerabilities and impacts as a result of landslides. These groups include, but are not limited to, low- income families, elderly, individuals with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, and those without adequate access to emergency resources. These groups may not have access to the appropriate education on landslide risk. Furthermore, these groups may not have access to accurate and timely information due to limited internet access, language barriers, and living in isolated areas. Therefore, critical landslide warnings may not reach these groups in a timely manner which results in higher injury and mortality rates within these communities. Additionally, those individuals living in isolated areas with limited access (e.9., one (1) road in and one (1) road out) are vulnerable to being cut off from community lifelines if a landslide were to block access to the area for an extended period of time. Effects of Glimate Ghange in Severity of lmpacts: As global average temperatures increase; evaporation increases adding moisture into the atmosphere which results in more precipitation.lT6 The frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events are projected to increase over the 21't century. 177 Although heavy precipitation does not necessarily result in landslides, landslides are predominantly a result of saturated soils, it is possible that increased intensity of rain events will result in a greater number of landslides annually and an increase in the severity of impacts. Additionally, increases in temperatures will reduce snowpack and spring snowmelt, which may reduce the likelihood of spring landslides due to snowmelt. 178 lncreasing temperatures are expected to increase the occurrence and duration of droughts and the probability of wildfire, reducing the vegetation that helps to support steep slopes. Overall, the impacts of climate change on various hazards will result in an increased probability for landslide occurrences. tzs Washington State Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Landslides. Retrieved from https://www.dnr.wa.oov/proqrams-and-services/qeoloqv/geoloqic-hazards/landslides. 176 Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Climate Change lndicators: U.S. and Global Precipitation. Retrieved from https://www.epa.qov/climate-indicators/climate-chanqe-indicators-us-and-qlobal-precipitation. 177 U.S. GlobalChange Research Program. (2017). Climate Science SpecialReport: Fourth NationalClimate Assessment, Volume I (Chapter 7: Precipitation Change in the United States). Retrieved from https ://science20 1 T.qlobalchan ge.qov/chapter/7/. 178 United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Climate Change lmpacts in the Northwest. Retrieved from https :i/www.climatehubs.usda.qov/hubs/ Chapter 4: Hazard ldentification and Risk Assessment -imoacts-northwest. 147