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Missoula County staff ask mayor to coordinate floodplain review after residents report mitigation
Summary
County staff presented a letter asking the mayor to direct city and county staff and FEMA to review flood hazard delineation in the South Hills; staff said a city-installed sump likely removed the historic source of flooding and that a 1983 flood insurance study needs updating.
Missoula County staff told meeting participants they had drafted a letter to the mayor’s office asking city staff, county floodplain staff and FEMA to work together to better delineate flood hazards in the South Hills floodplain and to scope a potential flood study.
Speaker 6 said the letter requests the mayor direct appropriate city staff to work with county floodplain staff and FEMA to look into better delineation of flood hazards and to scope options, including a possible flood study. "There's direct correspondence with FEMA that we can do, and there's also scoping about a potential flood study," Speaker 6 said.
During public comment, a resident (Speaker 5) asked what the flood hazards were and whether they were related to stream slopes or sheet flow. Speaker 4 answered that the existing floodplain delineation for the specific area appears tied to a piece of stormwater infrastructure that frequently flooded; the city reportedly addressed that infrastructure by installing a new sump and plugging the old pipe. "In our estimation, the reason why there was any delineation of this being in the floodplain has been addressed," Speaker 4 said.
Speaker 6 added broader context, noting a 1983 flood insurance study covers the area and "could use an update." Meeting participants asked if property owners would receive copies of the letter; staff said they have a list of meeting attendees and contact information and will share the letter with property owners and local contacts such as Jim Chaffin.
Speakers said removing properties from the floodplain could relieve homeowners from the requirement to purchase costly flood insurance. No formal decision was made at the meeting; staff described the letter as a means to kick‑start a collaborative effort and said they would do outreach and follow up with the groups who raised concerns.
Next steps: staff will send the letter to the mayor's office, share it with identified contacts and attendees from the prior meeting, and pursue coordination with city staff and FEMA to determine whether the floodplain mapping should be adjusted or formally studied.
