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Kalispell City Council to review regional hazard mitigation plan

JACK UNDERHILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 2 weeks AGO
by JACK UNDERHILL
KALISPELL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION REPORTER Jack Underhill covers Kalispell city government, housing and transportation for the Daily Inter Lake. His reporting focuses on how local policy decisions affect residents and the rapidly growing Flathead Valley. Underhill has reported on housing challenges, infrastructure issues and regional service providers across Montana. His work also includes accountability reporting on complex community issues and public institutions. Originally from Massachusetts, Underhill graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Journalism before joining the Inter Lake. In his free time, Underhill enjoys mountain biking around the valley, skiing up on Big Mountain or exploring Glacier National Park. IMPACT: Jack’s work helps residents understand how growth, housing and infrastructure decisions affect the future of their community. | October 13, 2025 12:00 AM

Kalispell City Council will consider Monday a regional hazard mitigation plan to retain disaster aid eligibility.    

Council meets for the work session on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

The 2024 Wester Montana Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan is meant to reduce long-term risks from natural disasters and serve as a “blueprint for coordinating and implementing hazard mitigation policies, programs and projects,” according to the document.   

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services in 2022 began developing regional hazard mitigation plans across the state. The base plan was approved by the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but localities must adopt county-specific plans. 

Columbia Falls and Whitefish have already adopted the Flathead County portion of the plan, but Kalispell has yet to follow suit.  

Adoption was postponed in April after Councilor Sid Daoud passed a motion to delay voting until he and his colleagues had enough time to read through the hefty document.  

Flathead County completed a hazard mitigation plan back in 2014, which the new document builds off.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].


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