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Sherburne County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2020 CLIMATE DATA EXPERTS expect that future cbmnate conditions across the Midwest will continue toctiange and affect our environmert. economy, and public health, Such conditions are projected to lead to a h ghe r frequ envy of late growing season drought condrhons. elevated winter temperatures with reduced snowpack prolonged high beat days. and extended periods of low rainfall. For the 2011 Extreme Heat Wave, maximum and minimum temperatures for July. when the heat wave peaked, were well above baseline valves Mid- century climate estimates indicate that average summer maximum and minimum temperatures for Region 6 counnes will be apprraiimately 6-57 warmer than historical trends. As average temperatures increase. the likelihood of more frequent extremes also increases. Currently, the primary response to protecting ourselves from the stress of high outdoor neat is to remain in air conditioned indoor spaces. However. this reliance comes at a cost, particularly to Region 6 commun in es where much of the state's population 6 concentrated. 0ver98% of housing units in the Twin lines metro region have some form of air-conditioning. The addibon of schools, businesses, entertainment venues, and other cooled buildings puts a hefty strain on the region's energy gird during prolonged periods of extreme neat, and this strain is projected to increase more in Region 6 counties than any other region of the state. The consequences go beyond rising utility crusts to residents. which may lead some to nO getting a heat -illness to avoid unmanageable bills. Rising electricity usage may also lead to power drsnupt►on or even prolonged outages, which can have further neganve health effects. Another concern is when mulnp4e disaster events happen together. In addition to the .1011 Extreme Neat Wave, a large cluster of July thunderstorms swept through the metre, region bringing 1•2 inch diameter hail, wind gusts over 80 mpb, and a number of tornado sightings, Damage was widespread, including electricity outages and downed power lines. The most intense rain was focused on the metro area and dropped 1 inch of rain in just over 20 minutes. Region 6 counhes received an average July rainfall far above historical norms posing a potential flood risk. When extreme events cur -occur the demands can overwhelm utilities. derail the power grid. and tax emergency management and response resources beyond capacity. REGION 6/10 ttClimate data is a critical tool in planning for resilient communities into the future, '91 CLIMATE DATA 15 A CRITICAL TOOL in planning for resilient communlnes into the future. Assessing threats from climate change and planning effective mitigation and response strategies is a key element for emergency managers and other planners to reduce future risk. It is crucial to understand the potential impacts of climate change and the associated priorities and vulnerabilities of communities, including population, the environment. critical infrastructure, and more, However, vulnerability is a nuanced concept and roast effective as an indicator of risk when planners seek to understand and address vulnerability as cbse to the individual level as pmsibie and in association with a specific hazard. For example. in HSEM Region 6. population projections show a sizable increase in children alongside a substantial increase in seniors. Children and seniors have a reduced physicai capacity to adjust to and cope with high heat. and are often partially dependent on others to ensure their personal safety and well-being, characteristics that contribute to increased vulnerability. In addition, children often spend more bme engaged in phystcaI activnv outdoors, while seniors on hmited incomes may struggle to pay for air-conditioning. Considering the impacts of climate change to vul'nerabie populaborts is just one example of how to prioritize mitigation and response planning. CLIMATE PROJECTION DATA. continues to improve and should be considered as a priority to advance. Minnesota would benefit from a statewide high -quality cliimate protection dataset that is derived using the climate and environment features unique to our state. similar to datasets developed for other states. Meanwhile, data from national resources, like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminrstrahon (NOAA). can still prov.dea powerful input to regional scenario -planning efforts by allowing planners, managers, and analysts a rnearis of 'unpacking" general chmate change predictions for the Midwest by looking at potential monthly fluctuations in coarse precipitation and temperature measures for Minnesota and its counbes. Page I L - is