Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment - Executive Summary
City of Spokane
Final June 2025
[Page 1]
Final: June 2025
Spokane Climate Risk
and Vulnerability
Assessment
Executive Summary
[Page 2]
Executive Summary
Overview
A changing climate and climate-extreme events —including heat, wildfires, smoke
from wildfires, flooding, and drought—are already affecting Spokane and are
projected to worsen under a variety of climate scenarios. Communities in Spokane
may experience climate impacts in many ways, such as disruptions to the local
economy and daily routines, or impacts to physical and mental health, ultimately
stressing infrastructure systems, affecting community wellbeing, and harming
local ecosystems. Climate change also does not impact everyone equally, and
who faces the greatest risk depends on their level of exposure to climate impacts
and their capacity to respond and adapt. Being on the frontlines of worsening
climate and environmental threats creates or exacerbates social, economic, and
health issues.
To address climate risks and build local resilience, the City of Spokane is
embarking on a transformative journey to support the community in the face of
growing climate hazards. As part of this effort, the City will undertake a major
update to the Comprehensive Plan, a foundational document guiding the city’s
growth and development. This update, mandated by the Washington State Growth
Management Act and due in 2026, presents a unique opportunity to integrate
climate considerations into every aspect of the City of Spokane’s future. The
update will also address the newly required Climate Element under HB 1181.
The results from this climate risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA) and an
additional report on the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory are supporting the
climate planning work.
The CRVA and the Climate Element for the City’s Comprehensive Plan is an
opportunity for Spokane to take further action to foster climate resilience,
prioritize environmental justice to avoid worsening environmental health disparities,
and build on community priorities and respond to new state requirements.
[Page 3]
Climate justice focuses on
addressing the unequal impacts
of climate change by prioritizing
the health and safety of those
who face the greatest risk from
climate events (Washington
Department of Health, Front and
Centered, 2024)
Climate vulnerability is how
susceptible to the adverse impacts
of climate hazards a community
or resource may be. Vulnerability
is determined by understanding
the exposure and sensitivity of a
community or resource, as well as
how adaptable that community or
resource may be to respond
to hazards.
Climate resilience
is the process of
preparing and adapting
to changes in climate
and minimizing negative
impacts to our natural
systems, infrastructure,
and communities.
Vulnerable populations are groups that are
more likely to be at higher risk for poor health
outcomes in response to environmental
harms, due to: adverse socioeconomic
factors. Overburdened communities refers
to a geographic area where vulnerable
populations face multiple environmental
harms and health impacts and frequently
includes lower-income residents.
[Page 4]
People-Centered Approach
The project team implemented a range of public engagement activities to capture
diverse experiences and prioritized engaging vulnerable populations and
overburdened communities – frontline communities that are impacted first and
worst by climate hazards. Reflecting lived experiences contributes to identifying
additional climate risks not captured by data and document analysis, ground
truths results, and aids in prioritizing climate risks according to community values.
Staff and Community Leaders
• 40+ City staff participated on the City
of Spokane Internal Climate Technical
Advisory Committee
• 11 representatives from 3 Tribes and urban
Indigenous and Native organizations
served on the Tribal Engagement
Workgroup.
• 14 community members served on the
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board serving as the Climate Policy
Advisory Team (CPAT).
• City Council, Boards, Commissions and
Committees
Public Engagement
• 1,500+ responses to the Community
Climate Planning Survey
• 20+ attendees at the Earth Day Workshop
• 3 focus groups: youth (18 years or
younger), those in Northeast Spokane
communities, and climate justice
communities.
• 8+ community tabling events including
the Expo ‘74 50th anniversary celebration,
2024 Fall Leaf Festival, 2025 Spring
Riverfront Market, and various Earth Day
events
• 5+ meetings with community-based
organizations and groups representing
communities affected by climate planning.
• 69 public comments on the Climate
Vulnerability Index online tool.
[Page 5]
Climate Hazards & Impacts
Spokane is already experiencing climate impacts and extreme weather events,
including rising temperatures, wildfires, smoke, and drought. These changes
affect our health, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Rising Temperatures & Extreme Heat: Average summertime
temperatures are projected to increase by 11°F by 2099. This increase
can harm public health, damage infrastructure, threaten water quality,
and disrupt fish and wildlife habitat.
Wildfires: There will be more days with high wildfire risk due to rising
temperatures and anticipated drought. Wildfires can harm property,
wildlife, and public safety.
Smoke: Regional and local wildfires will result in an increased frequency
and intensity of wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke worsens air quality and
can make health problems like asthma worse. High levels of smoke can
also lead to cancelled events and outdoor activities. Extended smoke
events can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Heavy Precipitation: By 2099, annual precipitation could increase by
10% with more of that precipitation occurring during winter months, and
less rainfall during summer months.
Flooding: By 2099, winter water flow in streams could increase by 84%,
leading to more flooding, landslides, and erosion for communities near
the river. Flooding and landslides can damage homes, businesses, roads,
and other infrastructure.
Drought & Reduced Snowpack: By 2099, summer rainfall is projected to
decrease by 14%, which will make drought conditions worse. Snowpack,
which is important for water supply could drop below 75% of normal,
reducing water availability and harming fish and wildlife habitats and
winter recreation.
[Page 6]
Our Impacted Community Members
Climate hazards affect everyone, but some people are at greater risk. See below for examples of how some communities and
people may be at greater risk.
Children and Caregivers: Are at higher
risk for heat stroke and long-term health
impacts.
Houseless Residents: Are highly
vulnerable to heat, air pollution, floods,
and storms.
Outdoor Workers: Are more exposed to
heat and smoke, affecting their health and
job stability.
Low-Income Households: Have fewer
resources to deal with climate risks.
Pregnant People: Pregnant people and
their fetuses are more sensitive to heat
and smoke which can result in heat stroke,
low birth weight, and other health impacts.
Older Adults and Residents
with
Disabilities: May struggle to access
emergency services or evacuate during
fire and flood events.
Native American and Tribal Communities:
Face health issues and loss of traditional
cultural resources and food sources.
Communities in Wildland Urban
Interface: Face additional health and
property risks due to wildfires.
Communities of Color: Experience higher
exposure to pollution and more intense
heat in neighborhoods with less tree
canopy and lower quality infrastructure.
People with Chronic Health Conditions:
Experience higher asthma and heart
disease risks during heat and smoke
events.
[Page 7]
Spokane Spatial Data Approach
The City of Spokane created a Climate Vulnerability Index mapping tool to better
understand which areas, people, and resources are most at risk from climate
impacts like extreme heat and wildfire smoke. This tool looks at over 30 factors,
such as exposure to climate hazards and the ability to adapt:
• Exposure—built environment conditions, including land surface temperature,
wildfire risk,
PM 2.5 exposure
• Sensitivity—demographic and health data including age and health
conditions like asthma and heart disease
• Adaptive Capacity—ability to respond to hazards based on socioeconomic
factors including housing costs, housing conditions, poverty, and tree canopy
This map shows that some parts of Spokane, like in Northeast Spokane and along
the I-90 corridor, have higher vulnerability than the City average. This higher
vulnerability comes from several factors, including lower tree canopy, higher urban
heat and lower-income relative to other parts of the City. Meanwhile, many areas
south of I-90 and on the northernmost ends of Spokane have lower vulnerability.
This can help inform future prioritization of the City’s resilience actions.
Want to learn more or add specific
comments to the map?
Scan the QR code or visit
bit.ly/Spokane-CV-Index [http://bit.ly/Spokane-CV-Index] to explore
the Climate Vulnerability Index on
your own device!
[Page 8]
Climate Risks and Vulnerability Findings
Human Well-Being and
Emergency Management
What’s included
• Public Health
• Social Services
• Emergency Management
Key takeaways
• Extreme heat will cause increased rates
of illnesses and injuries. Wildfire smoke,
increased pollen production, and shifts in
geographic ranges of disease vectors are also
likely to cause increases in some illnesses.
• Medical care and emergency management
systems could become more difficult to
access due to weather related disruptions,
particularly flooding and wildfires yet these
climate impacts may cause surges in need for
their services.
• Social services, including libraries and
schools, are relatively exposed to high
ground temperatures and flooding. This may
limit their ability to provide services and to
serve as gathering places in an emergency.
• Correctional facilities face climate risks,
both to the facilities and the people
institutionalized there. Extreme heat and
regional wildfires pose the largest health risks
to incarcerated people.
• Several primary evacuation routes and major
arterials overlap with flood hazard zones
and the wildland-urban interface (WUI),
increasing risks to emergency services.
Who is most at risk?
• Elderly residents, young
children and pregnant people
• Individuals with disabilities,
mental illnesses and/or
chronic health conditions
• Residents who are cost-
burdened and/or experiencing
food insecurity
• Incarcerated people
• Unhoused people
[Page 9]
Cultural and Natural
Resources
What’s included
• Cultural
Resources
• Food Systems
• Parks, Trails, and
Open Spaces
• Urban Forests
Key takeaways
• Extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding,
extreme precipitation, and drought are
accelerating the degradation of traditional
foods, medicinal plants, salmon populations,
and culturally significant landscapes.
• Indigenous cultural practices are deeply tied to
specific land-based traditions and are therefore
threatened by environmental changes.
• Cultural gatherings have already been affected
by air quality, diminished berry and root
harvests, and damage to sacred sites.
• Climate disruptions are likely to deepen food
insecurity in Spokane.
• Heat events are likely to increase demand for
indoor facilities, water features, water access,
and shade in parks.
• Heat and smoke make parks and outdoor
areas less safe for visitors, staff, and natural
resources workers.
• Flooding and wildfire could damage some parks
assets directly.
• Discrepancies in urban forest cover already
result in large differences in localized
temperatures in summer.
• Urban forests can be weakened by drought,
heat, and fire, and are at risk of falling from
wind during extreme weather events.
Who is most at risk?
• Tribal Elders and youth
• Urban Native populations
• Cultural practitioners and
traditional plant gatherers
• Tribal service providers
• Agricultural workers
• Outdoor resource workers
• Communities in areas with
low tree canopy cover
[Page 10]
Infrastructure
What’s included
• Energy
• Transportation
• Waste
• Water and
Wastewater
Infrastructure
• Stormwater
Key takeaways
• Higher summer temperatures and wildfire
risk have already resulted in more frequent
power outages and strain to energy
infrastructure.
• Lower streamflows in the Spokane and
Clark Fork Rivers could impact hydropower
generation capacity.
• Debris from storms and ice or snow buildup
can cause damage to powerlines.
• Higher demand for energy in summer and
winter is expected as the climate changes,
which could increase energy costs and
impacts people’s ability to cool and heat
homes and buildings in affordable and safe
ways.
• Extreme heat can make active transportation
like walking, biking, and rolling less safe
and damage roads, bridges, and rail
infrastructure. Wildfire can also have
impacts on transportation in certain parts of
the city.
• Extreme precipitation can impact driving
safety and lead to flooding that affects a
range of transportation infrastructure and the
ability for people to safely evacuate during
events.
Continued on to next page.
Who is most at risk?
• Residents and businesses in
areas with lower quality and
less resilient infrastructure
• Low-income residents
• Individuals with health
conditions
• Residents in aging housing
• Residents who rely on
electricity for health or medical
devices
• People without a vehicle and/
or limited access to public
transportation
• Areas with lots of impervious
surfaces
[Page 11]
Key takeaways (continued)
• The Spokane International Airport is
affected by climate events like flooding,
heat and smoke leading to flight
disruptions.
• Climate disruptions are likely to occur to
waste and recycling operations.
• Water and wastewater infrastructure could
be impacted by flooding, wildfire, heat,
and storms as well as power outages.
• Increased precipitation could strain
the City’s stormwater infrastructure,
increasing risks to flooding and combined
sewer overflow into the Spokane River.
• Effectiveness of green stormwater
infrastructure can be reduced by heat,
drought, extreme precipitation, and
flooding.
[Page 12]
Ecosystems and Water
Resources
What’s included
• Critical Areas
• Water Supply
Key takeaways
• Wetlands citywide are likely to be impacted
by summer drought and winter precipitation
and flooding, impacting water quantity,
quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem
services.
• Invasive species could have more
opportunities to proliferate due to changes in
local conditions.
• Wildlife and habitat could be stressed from
extreme precipitation and changes to water
regimes and seasonal changes could make
finding food more difficult.
• Landslides could become more likely due to
extreme precipitation, particularly after fire.
• Groundwater supplies could be impacted by
warmer temperatures, drought, and reduced
snowpack, affecting City operations and
broader community impacts.
• Wildfire can impact habitat and water quality.
Who is most at risk?
• People living near flood zones
• Low-income residents
• Areas without drainage
infrastructure
[Page 13]
Community Design, Land Use,
and Economic Development
What’s included
• Buildings/Major
Facilities
• Businesses
• Neighborhoods
• Housing
Key takeaways
• Extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires could
damage buildings.
• Greater demand for electricity during extreme
heat raises the risk of power failures.
• Older buildings are less equipped with
ventilation and air conditioning and are more
dangerous during extreme heat and smoke
events.
• Some major facilities are located near the
Spokane River and are susceptible to flood
hazards.
• Businesses could be impacted by increasing
costs, infrastructure and supply chain
disruption, and worker health impacts.
• Some industrial areas in Spokane may be
particularly susceptible to flooding.
• Recreation and tourism industries could
be particularly impacted by landscape
degradation, heat, and other changes.
• Increased pressure on household costs
could lead to health impacts for lower income
households and greater displacement risk.
Who is most at risk?
• Residents of older housing
stock
• Areas with a lack of
greenspace and trees
• Areas with more impervious
surfaces
• Outdoor workers
• Households with lower
incomes
• Communities and areas facing
displacement risk
• Residents and businesses in
flood hazard areas and wildfire
hazard areas
Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment - Executive Summary
City of Spokane
Final June 2025
[Page 1]
Final: June 2025
Spokane Climate Risk
and Vulnerability
Assessment
Executive Summary
[Page 2]
Executive Summary
Overview
A changing climate and climate-extreme events —including heat, wildfires, smoke
from wildfires, flooding, and drought—are already affecting Spokane and are
projected to worsen under a variety of climate scenarios. Communities in Spokane
may experience climate impacts in many ways, such as disruptions to the local
economy and daily routines, or impacts to physical and mental health, ultimately
stressing infrastructure systems, affecting community wellbeing, and harming
local ecosystems. Climate change also does not impact everyone equally, and
who faces the greatest risk depends on their level of exposure to climate impacts
and their capacity to respond and adapt. Being on the frontlines of worsening
climate and environmental threats creates or exacerbates social, economic, and
health issues.
To address climate risks and build local resilience, the City of Spokane is
embarking on a transformative journey to support the community in the face of
growing climate hazards. As part of this effort, the City will undertake a major
update to the Comprehensive Plan, a foundational document guiding the city’s
growth and development. This update, mandated by the Washington State Growth
Management Act and due in 2026, presents a unique opportunity to integrate
climate considerations into every aspect of the City of Spokane’s future. The
update will also address the newly required Climate Element under HB 1181.
The results from this climate risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA) and an
additional report on the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory are supporting the
climate planning work.
The CRVA and the Climate Element for the City’s Comprehensive Plan is an
opportunity for Spokane to take further action to foster climate resilience,
prioritize environmental justice to avoid worsening environmental health disparities,
and build on community priorities and respond to new state requirements.
[Page 3]
Climate justice focuses on
addressing the unequal impacts
of climate change by prioritizing
the health and safety of those
who face the greatest risk from
climate events (Washington
Department of Health, Front and
Centered, 2024)
Climate vulnerability is how
susceptible to the adverse impacts
of climate hazards a community
or resource may be. Vulnerability
is determined by understanding
the exposure and sensitivity of a
community or resource, as well as
how adaptable that community or
resource may be to respond
to hazards.
Climate resilience
is the process of
preparing and adapting
to changes in climate
and minimizing negative
impacts to our natural
systems, infrastructure,
and communities.
Vulnerable populations are groups that are
more likely to be at higher risk for poor health
outcomes in response to environmental
harms, due to: adverse socioeconomic
factors. Overburdened communities refers
to a geographic area where vulnerable
populations face multiple environmental
harms and health impacts and frequently
includes lower-income residents.
[Page 4]
People-Centered Approach
The project team implemented a range of public engagement activities to capture
diverse experiences and prioritized engaging vulnerable populations and
overburdened communities – frontline communities that are impacted first and
worst by climate hazards. Reflecting lived experiences contributes to identifying
additional climate risks not captured by data and document analysis, ground
truths results, and aids in prioritizing climate risks according to community values.
Staff and Community Leaders
• 40+ City staff participated on the City
of Spokane Internal Climate Technical
Advisory Committee
• 11 representatives from 3 Tribes and urban
Indigenous and Native organizations
served on the Tribal Engagement
Workgroup.
• 14 community members served on the
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Board serving as the Climate Policy
Advisory Team (CPAT).
• City Council, Boards, Commissions and
Committees
Public Engagement
• 1,500+ responses to the Community
Climate Planning Survey
• 20+ attendees at the Earth Day Workshop
• 3 focus groups: youth (18 years or
younger), those in Northeast Spokane
communities, and climate justice
communities.
• 8+ community tabling events including
the Expo ‘74 50th anniversary celebration,
2024 Fall Leaf Festival, 2025 Spring
Riverfront Market, and various Earth Day
events
• 5+ meetings with community-based
organizations and groups representing
communities affected by climate planning.
• 69 public comments on the Climate
Vulnerability Index online tool.
[Page 5]
Climate Hazards & Impacts
Spokane is already experiencing climate impacts and extreme weather events,
including rising temperatures, wildfires, smoke, and drought. These changes
affect our health, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Rising Temperatures & Extreme Heat: Average summertime
temperatures are projected to increase by 11°F by 2099. This increase
can harm public health, damage infrastructure, threaten water quality,
and disrupt fish and wildlife habitat.
Wildfires: There will be more days with high wildfire risk due to rising
temperatures and anticipated drought. Wildfires can harm property,
wildlife, and public safety.
Smoke: Regional and local wildfires will result in an increased frequency
and intensity of wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke worsens air quality and
can make health problems like asthma worse. High levels of smoke can
also lead to cancelled events and outdoor activities. Extended smoke
events can contribute to anxiety and depression.
Heavy Precipitation: By 2099, annual precipitation could increase by
10% with more of that precipitation occurring during winter months, and
less rainfall during summer months.
Flooding: By 2099, winter water flow in streams could increase by 84%,
leading to more flooding, landslides, and erosion for communities near
the river. Flooding and landslides can damage homes, businesses, roads,
and other infrastructure.
Drought & Reduced Snowpack: By 2099, summer rainfall is projected to
decrease by 14%, which will make drought conditions worse. Snowpack,
which is important for water supply could drop below 75% of normal,
reducing water availability and harming fish and wildlife habitats and
winter recreation.
[Page 6]
Our Impacted Community Members
Climate hazards affect everyone, but some people are at greater risk. See below for examples of how some communities and
people may be at greater risk.
Children and Caregivers: Are at higher
risk for heat stroke and long-term health
impacts.
Houseless Residents: Are highly
vulnerable to heat, air pollution, floods,
and storms.
Outdoor Workers: Are more exposed to
heat and smoke, affecting their health and
job stability.
Low-Income Households: Have fewer
resources to deal with climate risks.
Pregnant People: Pregnant people and
their fetuses are more sensitive to heat
and smoke which can result in heat stroke,
low birth weight, and other health impacts.
Older Adults and Residents
with
Disabilities: May struggle to access
emergency services or evacuate during
fire and flood events.
Native American and Tribal Communities:
Face health issues and loss of traditional
cultural resources and food sources.
Communities in Wildland Urban
Interface: Face additional health and
property risks due to wildfires.
Communities of Color: Experience higher
exposure to pollution and more intense
heat in neighborhoods with less tree
canopy and lower quality infrastructure.
People with Chronic Health Conditions:
Experience higher asthma and heart
disease risks during heat and smoke
events.
[Page 7]
Spokane Spatial Data Approach
The City of Spokane created a Climate Vulnerability Index mapping tool to better
understand which areas, people, and resources are most at risk from climate
impacts like extreme heat and wildfire smoke. This tool looks at over 30 factors,
such as exposure to climate hazards and the ability to adapt:
• Exposure—built environment conditions, including land surface temperature,
wildfire risk,
PM 2.5 exposure
• Sensitivity—demographic and health data including age and health
conditions like asthma and heart disease
• Adaptive Capacity—ability to respond to hazards based on socioeconomic
factors including housing costs, housing conditions, poverty, and tree canopy
This map shows that some parts of Spokane, like in Northeast Spokane and along
the I-90 corridor, have higher vulnerability than the City average. This higher
vulnerability comes from several factors, including lower tree canopy, higher urban
heat and lower-income relative to other parts of the City. Meanwhile, many areas
south of I-90 and on the northernmost ends of Spokane have lower vulnerability.
This can help inform future prioritization of the City’s resilience actions.
Want to learn more or add specific
comments to the map?
Scan the QR code or visit
bit.ly/Spokane-CV-Index [http://bit.ly/Spokane-CV-Index] to explore
the Climate Vulnerability Index on
your own device!
[Page 8]
Climate Risks and Vulnerability Findings
Human Well-Being and
Emergency Management
What’s included
• Public Health
• Social Services
• Emergency Management
Key takeaways
• Extreme heat will cause increased rates
of illnesses and injuries. Wildfire smoke,
increased pollen production, and shifts in
geographic ranges of disease vectors are also
likely to cause increases in some illnesses.
• Medical care and emergency management
systems could become more difficult to
access due to weather related disruptions,
particularly flooding and wildfires yet these
climate impacts may cause surges in need for
their services.
• Social services, including libraries and
schools, are relatively exposed to high
ground temperatures and flooding. This may
limit their ability to provide services and to
serve as gathering places in an emergency.
• Correctional facilities face climate risks,
both to the facilities and the people
institutionalized there. Extreme heat and
regional wildfires pose the largest health risks
to incarcerated people.
• Several primary evacuation routes and major
arterials overlap with flood hazard zones
and the wildland-urban interface (WUI),
increasing risks to emergency services.
Who is most at risk?
• Elderly residents, young
children and pregnant people
• Individuals with disabilities,
mental illnesses and/or
chronic health conditions
• Residents who are cost-
burdened and/or experiencing
food insecurity
• Incarcerated people
• Unhoused people
[Page 9]
Cultural and Natural
Resources
What’s included
• Cultural
Resources
• Food Systems
• Parks, Trails, and
Open Spaces
• Urban Forests
Key takeaways
• Extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding,
extreme precipitation, and drought are
accelerating the degradation of traditional
foods, medicinal plants, salmon populations,
and culturally significant landscapes.
• Indigenous cultural practices are deeply tied to
specific land-based traditions and are therefore
threatened by environmental changes.
• Cultural gatherings have already been affected
by air quality, diminished berry and root
harvests, and damage to sacred sites.
• Climate disruptions are likely to deepen food
insecurity in Spokane.
• Heat events are likely to increase demand for
indoor facilities, water features, water access,
and shade in parks.
• Heat and smoke make parks and outdoor
areas less safe for visitors, staff, and natural
resources workers.
• Flooding and wildfire could damage some parks
assets directly.
• Discrepancies in urban forest cover already
result in large differences in localized
temperatures in summer.
• Urban forests can be weakened by drought,
heat, and fire, and are at risk of falling from
wind during extreme weather events.
Who is most at risk?
• Tribal Elders and youth
• Urban Native populations
• Cultural practitioners and
traditional plant gatherers
• Tribal service providers
• Agricultural workers
• Outdoor resource workers
• Communities in areas with
low tree canopy cover
[Page 10]
Infrastructure
What’s included
• Energy
• Transportation
• Waste
• Water and
Wastewater
Infrastructure
• Stormwater
Key takeaways
• Higher summer temperatures and wildfire
risk have already resulted in more frequent
power outages and strain to energy
infrastructure.
• Lower streamflows in the Spokane and
Clark Fork Rivers could impact hydropower
generation capacity.
• Debris from storms and ice or snow buildup
can cause damage to powerlines.
• Higher demand for energy in summer and
winter is expected as the climate changes,
which could increase energy costs and
impacts people’s ability to cool and heat
homes and buildings in affordable and safe
ways.
• Extreme heat can make active transportation
like walking, biking, and rolling less safe
and damage roads, bridges, and rail
infrastructure. Wildfire can also have
impacts on transportation in certain parts of
the city.
• Extreme precipitation can impact driving
safety and lead to flooding that affects a
range of transportation infrastructure and the
ability for people to safely evacuate during
events.
Continued on to next page.
Who is most at risk?
• Residents and businesses in
areas with lower quality and
less resilient infrastructure
• Low-income residents
• Individuals with health
conditions
• Residents in aging housing
• Residents who rely on
electricity for health or medical
devices
• People without a vehicle and/
or limited access to public
transportation
• Areas with lots of impervious
surfaces
[Page 11]
Key takeaways (continued)
• The Spokane International Airport is
affected by climate events like flooding,
heat and smoke leading to flight
disruptions.
• Climate disruptions are likely to occur to
waste and recycling operations.
• Water and wastewater infrastructure could
be impacted by flooding, wildfire, heat,
and storms as well as power outages.
• Increased precipitation could strain
the City’s stormwater infrastructure,
increasing risks to flooding and combined
sewer overflow into the Spokane River.
• Effectiveness of green stormwater
infrastructure can be reduced by heat,
drought, extreme precipitation, and
flooding.
[Page 12]
Ecosystems and Water
Resources
What’s included
• Critical Areas
• Water Supply
Key takeaways
• Wetlands citywide are likely to be impacted
by summer drought and winter precipitation
and flooding, impacting water quantity,
quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem
services.
• Invasive species could have more
opportunities to proliferate due to changes in
local conditions.
• Wildlife and habitat could be stressed from
extreme precipitation and changes to water
regimes and seasonal changes could make
finding food more difficult.
• Landslides could become more likely due to
extreme precipitation, particularly after fire.
• Groundwater supplies could be impacted by
warmer temperatures, drought, and reduced
snowpack, affecting City operations and
broader community impacts.
• Wildfire can impact habitat and water quality.
Who is most at risk?
• People living near flood zones
• Low-income residents
• Areas without drainage
infrastructure
[Page 13]
Community Design, Land Use,
and Economic Development
What’s included
• Buildings/Major
Facilities
• Businesses
• Neighborhoods
• Housing
Key takeaways
• Extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires could
damage buildings.
• Greater demand for electricity during extreme
heat raises the risk of power failures.
• Older buildings are less equipped with
ventilation and air conditioning and are more
dangerous during extreme heat and smoke
events.
• Some major facilities are located near the
Spokane River and are susceptible to flood
hazards.
• Businesses could be impacted by increasing
costs, infrastructure and supply chain
disruption, and worker health impacts.
• Some industrial areas in Spokane may be
particularly susceptible to flooding.
• Recreation and tourism industries could
be particularly impacted by landscape
degradation, heat, and other changes.
• Increased pressure on household costs
could lead to health impacts for lower income
households and greater displacement risk.
Who is most at risk?
• Residents of older housing
stock
• Areas with a lack of
greenspace and trees
• Areas with more impervious
surfaces
• Outdoor workers
• Households with lower
incomes
• Communities and areas facing
displacement risk
• Residents and businesses in
flood hazard areas and wildfire
hazard areas