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Medical Lake begins final review of draft hazard mitigation plan; public comment open through Feb. 18
Summary
Consultant Bobby Jackson and staff presented a FEMA- and DMA-compliant draft hazard mitigation plan that prioritizes wildfire and air-quality risks and sets strategies for evacuation, sheltering, and grant eligibility; public comment period runs through Feb. 18 before state and FEMA review.
Medical Lake officials presented a draft hazard mitigation plan at the Feb. 4 City Council meeting and opened a public Q&A; the plan remains on the city website for public review through Feb. 18.
Consultant Bobby Jackson said the plan was prepared to meet requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act and FEMA guidance so the city remains eligible for hazard mitigation grant funding. Staff solicited stakeholder and public input via surveys and workshops, then prioritized hazards and mitigation actions.
Jackson said the plan’s highest composite risk scores were wildfires and wildfire-related air quality, followed by drought, severe weather and flooding; earthquakes and volcanic activity were also included as lower-probability but high-impact risks. Recommended strategic actions include mapping special-needs populations, promoting defensible space for properties, updating flood-management rules, seismic retrofits for critical structures, communication and public-awareness programs, evacuation and shelter-in-place planning, training exercises, and continuity-of-operations planning.
Jackson said 111 public responses were received to the online survey and that staff has already integrated some public comments received during the review period. Next steps are to collect public and stakeholder feedback through Feb. 18, update the draft with staff support, then submit the plan to the Washington state review authority and, after state approval, to FEMA for final approval. Jackson said each review stage could require edits before final FEMA eligibility is granted.
