FEMA Region VIII formally approved on 11/09/2007 the first Triennial Update to the 2007 State of Montana Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and Statewide Hazard Assessment. We are very pleased with the results as the primary goal of this Updated State Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan was to incorporate the risks, hazard assessment and local mitigation strategies from the 53 counties and 7 Tribal local PDM Plans either FEMA approved or near approval. As part of that result, users can link directly to any local plan hazard assessment via one of the specific Montana Hazard Risk Maps in Section 3 by moving your mouse to a specific county or Tribal Reservation and clicking on it, or through the local plans listed and linked in Appendix I.

As a Statewide Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Plan, the mitigation strategies are primarily concerned on a State and "big picture" perspective, however the local mitigation strategies are a critically important component. To effectively mitigate our natural hazards in Montana, both the Local and State mitigation strategies must be complimentary to one another. As Montana's demographics continue to shift over time, our risks to natural hazards may also change. Our State PDM Plan is designed to change over time as well. Your comments and updated hazard information are always welcome. My thanks to all the residents of Montana who helped put this Updated Plan together and get it approved. Together we can continue to mitigate Montana's natural hazards before disaster strikes and reduce both potential loss of life and millions or billions of dollars in damage.

Kent Atwood, CFM
Hazard Mitigation Officer
State of Montana

PO Box 4789
Fort Harrison, MT 59636-4789
406-841-3960