Lunenburg Part 2 - Section 5 - Social Vulnerability - August 30.pdf

Social Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge in 2025
The following section presents the results of interpreting social vulnerability in the context of sea
level rise inundation and storm surge flooding for year 2025.
Details for sea level rise inundation and storm flooding for the District of Lunenburg are
described in detail in Part 2, Section 1 of this report. In summary, the scenarios are:
Scenario A: Local Subsidence + Global Sea Level Rise – predicted 0.18 metres.
Scenario B: Relative Sea Level Rise + Higher High Water at Large Tide + 100 Year
Return Period Storm Surge - for a total of 2.89 m.
Scenario C: Relative Sea Level Rise + Higher High Water at Large Tide + Benchmark
Storm Surge - for a total of 3.47m..
The spatial impact of the flooding is considered according to properties that are either inundated
(building flooded), or isolated (flooding surrounding the building or area on all sides, blocking all
land transportation routes).
Once dissemination areas are identified, the implications of the results from the index of social
vulnerability are explored. A brief explanation of that interpretation is as follows:
Various socially vulnerable groups may have different areas of need, at various phases before,
during and after a natural hazard. These needs fall into four main categories: education,
communication, evacuation, and overall need. The following discussion, based on information
from the Indicator Selection section of this report, explains these categories of need.
Education:
Some populations may be less aware of natural hazard risks, or have difficulty understanding
informative materials. Where these populations are prevalent, it will be important to ensure that
all residents receive educational materials that are clear and understandable to them.
Seniors are more likely than other age groups to experience sensory or cognitive
limitations that will make it difficult for them to understand educational material.
Residents with low education may have difficulty understanding scientific terminology, or
reading material that uses complex language or that is not illustrated.
Residents that do not speak English or French may be unable to understand educational
materials.
Recent immigrants may be unfamiliar with local weather hazards.
Communication:
Certain socially vulnerable groups may be unable to understand warnings about extreme
weather events, or evacuation orders. Where these groups are prevalent, it will be necessary to
tailor such communications to the abilities of the local population, or seek alternative methods of
notifying residents about natural hazards and emergency procedures.
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