Saturno-Breen Truck Garden · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, College Place faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Place gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #38 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What College Place faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind College Place’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in College Place, and College Place’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #38 of 285 in Washington; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
College Place’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, College Place has less expected damage per building than 87% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across College Place: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does College Place flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in College Place, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
College Place isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walla Walla County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to College Place
Disasters that paid out in College Place itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of College Place), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$11K to the City of College Place for repairs
Walla Walla County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Walla Walla County, 2006–2015.
Old photos of College Place after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the College Place archive →College Place and its neighbors
College Place is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Garrett | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| College Place | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what College Place faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in College Place
Is College Place at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Place has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #38 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does College Place flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in College Place since 1983, $4K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is College Place in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Walla Walla County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in College Place?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for College Place’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in College Place?
By FEMA money that reached College Place, Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow (2008): $11K to the City of College Place for repairs.
Is College Place at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and College Place’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in College Place.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where College Place’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.