07-09-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 20 Limited access to reliable transportation can hinder evacuation efforts and reduce the ability to access emergency services or resources. The evacuation of people with disabilities and access and functional needs poses additional requirements. Many people who are otherwise self-sufficient may have special circumstances due to short-term issues such as physical or mental health issues, or have temporary resource shortages (e.g., fuel, transportation). • Housing instability is a concern in Ramsey County, with 41.0% of residents living in renter- occupied units. Renters may have fewer resources to recover from hazard events and are often more vulnerable to displacement. • In terms of transportation, 9.7% of households do not have access to a vehicle, making evacuation and accessing services more difficult in an emergency. • The percentage of residents living in housing units with more than one occupant per room (overcrowded conditions) is 4.0%, which may increase the spread of illness and reduce resilience. • The percentage of residents living in housing built in 1939 or earlier is 27.5%, increasing the likelihood of damage during hazard events. Areas with more multi-unit housing, mobile homes, crowded homes, homes with no vehicle access, and institutionalized group quarters have a higher vulnerability score. Areas of moderate to high vulnerability are found along and north of I-94, Saint Paul’s East and West sides, and in areas in Mounds View, New Brighton, Saint Anthony, Maplewood, North Saint Paul, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights, Blaine, White Bear Lake, Roseville, Vadnais Heights and Little Canada. 2.4.5 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF VULNERABILITY Centers for Disease Control (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) SVI data shows that social vulnerability is not evenly distributed across Ramsey County. Certain areas have notably higher SVI scores. These areas are more likely to experience compounded challenges during disasters due to the concentration of vulnerable populations and limited resources. An interactive, visual, spatial distribution by census tract of Ramsey County’s SVI by each of the four key themes can be viewed at https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=2bd18bc999dd452db6c680eba697f916. 2.4.6 HEALTH DISPARITIES Health disparities play a significant role in shaping a community's vulnerability to hazards, as underlying health conditions and unequal access to healthcare can hinder the ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In Ramsey County, understanding these disparities is critical to ensuring that mitigation strategies address the unique needs of all residents. 2.4.6.1 Chronic Health Conditions Chronic health issues such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory conditions can exacerbate the impacts of disasters, especially for populations with limited access to healthcare. Pre-existing and underlying health conditions can elevate a heat event to a life-threatening situation. Those with less disposable income are affected disproportionately due to the inability to provide safe shelter, air