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Public Review Draft <br />Page 40 San Leandro 2021 Climate Action Plan <br />elevation. This can be a significant expense for homeowners making alterations to existing <br />structures. <br />Transportation infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging stations, evacuation routes, and <br />major roads and highways, which are essential for public transit access, solid waste removal, and <br />other services, can be inundated, blocked, and damaged by floodwaters. <br />San Leandro's wastewater treatment plant is within the flood hazard area. Floodwaters can increase <br />wet weather flow into the plant and cause permanent damage to the system and/or reduce its <br />functionality. In cases of severe damage, the system can back up and flood neighborhoods with <br />sewage. Most sewage lift stations are in low-lying areas susceptible to flooding. Major points in the <br />water delivery system, such as the Mokelumne Aqueduct, could also be disrupted, which would <br />prevent water from flowing into the EBMUD. <br />Human Health Hazards <br />Human health hazards are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms that can cause <br />diseases and illness in people. Some of these diseases may only cause mild inconvenience, but <br />others are potentially life threatening. These diseases can be and often are carried by animals such <br />as mice and rats, ticks, and mosquitos. Warmer temperatures and high levels of precipitation can <br />lead to increased populations of disease-carrying animals, creating a greater risk of disease and <br />increased rates of infection. Other human health hazards include poor air quality, such as ozone <br />pollution and smoke from wildfires, which can affect respiratory systems of those exposed for <br />prolonged periods. <br />Populations most vulnerable to human health hazards are those who spend a disproportionate <br />amount of time outdoors (such as outdoor workers or persons experiencing homelessness), those <br />with fragile immune systems or existing illnesses (which may include persons with chronic illnesses <br />and seniors), and those who may live in substandard housing or not have access to health <br />insurance and medical care (households in poverty, low-income households, undocumented <br />persons). These persons may be living in conditions that increase their chances of catching vector- <br />borne illnesses or they may lack the ability to fight off infections. Many populations may not have <br />access to air purification systems that can filter out harmful particulate matter.42 <br />Emergency medical response services are also highly vulnerable to human health hazards, as they <br />may not be able to provide adequate services if there is an influx of health-related emergencies. <br />Landslide and Debris Flow <br />Landslides occur when a hillside becomes unstable, causing soil and rocks to slide downslope. <br />Landslides can include rock falls, deep failures of slopes, and shallow debris flows. Landslides are <br />most common on steep slopes and hillsides made of loose soil or other material, where excavation <br />and grading, drainage alterations, or changes in vegetation have occurred. The vulnerability <br />assessment looks at landslides that are caused by precipitation, although earthquakes can also <br />trigger landslides. Hillsides commonly absorb water, which increases instability of the slope and <br />may increase the risk of slope failure. Steep slopes made up of loose or fractured material are more <br />84