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<br />Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 53 <br />bridges, and human caused impacts to communication systems and power grids can also increase the <br />probability of failure. <br />3.15.6 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS <br />Climate change may have profound impacts on infrastructure, leading to failures in the identified <br />systems. Extreme weather events, specifically temperature extremes, are most likely to impact Ramsey <br />County. <br />Possible impacts include: <br />• Transportation - Damaged roads, bridges, and railways from buckling road washouts, landslides, <br />and structural failures. <br />• Electrical and Fuel Shortages – Damage to power lines, substations, and power plants, leading to <br />outages. Extreme temperatures can also lead to increased demand, putting additional strain on <br />electrical grids. <br />• Supply Chain Disruption – temperature changes can affect transportation infrastructure, <br />delaying or restricting the delivery of goods and raw materials, as well as affecting the storage <br />and preservation of goods. Climate change can also lead to resource scarcity, affecting the <br />availability of raw materials. <br />• Water Contamination – Flooding and increased runoff can overwhelm sewage and wastewater <br />systems, introducing pollutants into water supplies <br />3.15.7 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT <br />Communities, including Ramsey County, are increasingly vulnerable to various types of infrastructure <br />failures, which can significantly impact daily life, economic stability, and public health. <br />3.15.7.1 People <br />Infrastructure failure can have immediate and long-term health consequences, including injuries and <br />fatalities, disease outbreaks, and limited access to healthcare and emergency services. The community <br />can also suffer economic impacts from job losses, increased costs for basic needed, and economic <br />instability. <br />3.15.7.2 Property <br />Residents and businesses can suffer damages from accidents, power surges, and structural failures. <br />Supply chain disruptions can impact property development and ongoing maintenance. <br />3.15.7.3 Environment <br />Transportation incidents and proximity to industrial areas can impact the environment by contaminating <br />soil and water, harming aquatic life, soil quality, and broader ecosystems from pollutants and toxins. <br />Increased reliance on non-renewable energy sources can lead to higher emissions and environmental <br />degradation as well.