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3. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment <br />increase to an average of 3.5 events per year by midcentury and an average of 4.25 <br />events by the end of the century. <br />Inland flooding can cause significant harm to buildings, people, and infrastructure. <br />Floodwater can be deep enough to drown people and may move fast enough to carry <br />away people or heavy objects (such as cars). Flooding can be caused by heavy rainfall, <br />long periods of moderate rainfall, or clogged storm drains during periods of rainfall. In rare <br />instances, a break in a water pipe or water tank can also cause flooding. Storm drainage <br />systems throughout the City collect stormwater runoff and convey water to prevent <br />localized flooding. However, these systems are typically designed based on winter storms <br />recorded in the past and may not be designed to accommodate more intense storms. <br />As seen ebeve previously in Figure 9, areas in San Leandro within the 100-year flood zono <br />include land adjacent to San Leandro Creek, San Lorenzo Creek, and the Estudillo Canal; <br />land along flood control channels in the vicinity of Bayfair Center and Bonaire Park; and <br />coastal areas surrounding Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, the San Leandro Shoreline, and <br />Mission Bay. <br />Several populations and assets face particularly high risks from flooding events. Persons <br />experiencing homelessness, households in poverty, and linguistically isolated persons are <br />severely vulnerable to flooding, as they may live in or near flood hazard areas, lack <br />financial resources to protect their homes, or have difficulty receiving adequate <br />evacuation notices due to language barriers. Persons with limited mobility and those <br />without access to lifelines (persons without access to a car, transit, or communication <br />systems) may have difficulty evacuating prior to a flooding event, and therefore are also <br />highly vulnerable. <br />An additional consequence of a property's designation within the 100-year flood zone is <br />that flood insurance is required for federally -insured mortgage loans and may be required <br />by other mortgage lenders. Additionally, the City's Flood Plain Management Ordinance <br />requires that new construction, additions, and major home improvement projects be <br />raised at least one foot above the base flood elevation. This can be a significant expense <br />for homeowners making alterations to existing structures. <br />Transportation infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging stations, evacuation routes, <br />and major roads and highways, which are essential for public transit access, solid waste <br />removal, and 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 <br />increase wet weather flow into the plant and cause permanent damage to the system <br />and/or reduce its functionality. In cases of severe damage, the system can back up and <br />flood neighborhoods with sewage. Most sewage lift stations are in low-lying areas <br />San Leandro 2021 Climate Action Plan Page 53 <br />