Dozens of L.A. County communities face growing peril from fire, heat, flooding

Crenshaw is one of at least 47 communities where the worsening impacts of climate change will be felt most acutely, according to a groundbreaking new L.A. County report, which outlines in stark detail how some of the Southland’s most vulnerable residents could bear the brunt of extreme heat, wildfires, drought and floods.

The Climate Vulnerability Assessment found that those communities face “dual dangers”: an increased exposure to climate hazards combined with factors that will make it harder to respond and recover from those events, such as age, health, income and infrastructure. Many of those communities are home to low-income people and people of color.

Residents of Crenshaw and Westlake, for example, are at risk for inland flooding and lack uniform Internet access for emergency information. Santa Clarita is highly vulnerable to worsening heat and wildfire, and is also home to an older population with limited transit options.

The findings lay bare how social and economic inequality — driven in large part by historic and ongoing racist policies and practices — leaves millions at a disadvantage as the climate crisis heats up. Some who worked on the report said it underscores the urgent need to take action.