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Vulnerability Assessment
2022 Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
The City recently completed its first Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA), which evaluates how climate change is anticipated to impact Campbell. The CCVA answers the questions: What climate hazards is Campbell most likely to experience? And how are those hazards anticipated to impact residents, buildings, infrastructure, and the natural environment?
Climate Hazards and Impacts
While Campbell is mostly protected from sea level rise and wildfires, there are several climate hazards that are expected to impact Campbell: extreme heat, air quality degradation, riverine flooding, and drought.
Extreme Heat
An extreme heat event is defined as a period of five or more days with temperatures above 96°F. This area currently experiences about four extreme heat events per year, but by the end of the century, it is anticipated that there will be approximately 24 extreme heat events per year. Extreme heat can:
- lead to heath issues, especially for those with pre-existing conditions or taking medications that are impacted by heat. Antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, and others medications can be affected by heat, leading to illness, higher body temperatures, dehydrations, etc.
- deteriorate materials (like wood, metal, concrete, and asphalt), which can affect buildings and infrastructure.
- cause plant and wildlife stress and lead to shifts in species.
Air Quality Degradation
Despite greenhouse gas reductions from technological advances (like electric appliances and vehicles), air pollution can continue to worsen. Ozone formation increases with higher temperatures; vegetation emits more natural hydrocarbons; air conditioning works harder; and there are greater demands on power plants. Larger and more frequent wildfires in surrounding areas can lead to more wildfire smoke, too. Poor air quality can:
- worsen existing or create new respiratory illnesses and other health conditions, especially for those with pre-existing conditions
- cause plant and wildlife stress
Riverine Flooding
Riverine flooding along the creeks in Campbell may intensify given the projected increase in intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall. It is likely that areas within Campbell, along the southern border and along the creeks, would be at risk of occasional flooding. Flooding can:
- increase instances of infectious diseases carried by insects and rodents
- affect buildings and lead to mold growth, which can cause health complications
- lead to soil erosion
- cause vegetation removal, which decreased flood control and carbon storage
- disrupt wildlife
Drought
Drought is a period of abnormally dry weather caused by changes in primary variables including increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation. Campbell will experience an increasing number of drought events. Extreme dry spells are expected to occur in Santa Clara County every six to eight years by mid-century, increasing to every three to four years by the end of the century. Drought can:
- cause potential water supply challenges across California
- increased demand for irrigation to maintain landscaping
- disrupt vegetation and animal habitats
Climate Mapping
Below are maps of the critical facilities in Campbell, as well as where vulnerable communities are located throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Next Steps
The public draft of the plan is now available for review. You can download the plan here: Draft CAAP. The plan will be available for review through January 30, 2026. All comments should be emailed to tiffanyh@campbellca.gov.