Yolo County

People at Risk

Rising populations in flood prone areas exacerbate flooding risk. Impacts can be greater to the elderly or those with a low income, as these citizens may not have the resources to adequately prepare or recover.

Flooded Facilities Can't Provide Critical Services

First responders. Hospitals. Shelters. All play a central role in response and recovery. Incorporating vulnerability information into planning efforts save lives (fewer instances where critical services are made unavailable) and is cost effective (fewer damages to facilities).

Homes at Risk

Flooding is costly for homeowners, no doubt. But the community also shares in the cost as lowered property values negatively affect tax revenues.

Being Underwater Is Not a Good Business Plan

Flood-related losses of services, revenues, and salaries can hit a community hard.

A Better Future is a Greener Future

How do past development trends in your county compare to today’s approach? Development in flood-prone areas should be kept to a minimum. Creating more greenspace, which acts as a flooding buffer, lowers flood risk. Adding more impervious surfaces (even outside of the floodplain) can increase runoff and exacerbate flooding.

People at Risk

Rising population numbers exacerbate potential flooding risk; impacts can be even greater when social vulnerability factors (age, income, capabilities) are involved, as these citizens may not be able to adequately prepare and respond.

Flooded Facilities Can't Provide Critical Services

Fire and police stations. Hospitals. Shelters. These facilities play a central role in response and recovery. Understanding future exposure can help reduce damages and the conditions that make these services unavailable.

Being Underwater Is Not a Good Business Plan

Flood-related losses of services, revenues, and salaries can hit a community hard.

Creating a Better Future: Yes, It Can Be Done

Make it a goal: more natural areas (wetlands, forests, parks, dunes, etc.) to absorb floodwaters and protect the community, and less development in flood-prone areas. Consider not only today’s floodplain, but also the floodplain extent projected for the future.

When Is the Time to Act? Now!

Because a number of factors are involved, sea level rise projections are often expressed as scenarios. For projects involving structures with a long lifespan or where a loss would be catastrophic (power plants, ports, hospitals), the higher sea level rise scenarios should be considered. For projects with a shorter lifespan (bike paths, golf courses, parks), lower sea level rise scenarios may be appropriate.

If You Can't Measure It, You Can't Protect It

Business Diversity

Understanding the types and amounts of businesses in the marine economy will inform community planning and management initiatives. This graphic highlights the six sectors that make up the marine economy.

Wages

Understanding wage vulnerability helps leaders better understand the long and short-term impact of coastal storms, economic downturns, etc. Lower wage sectors are usually affected the most.

Total Jobs

Many economic reports don't include the self-employed in their job numbers, yet this group can play an important role in the local economy. Most commercial fishermen, for instance, are self-employed.