Enter any address in Columbia County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Columbia County, Washington has recorded 5 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 2 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Dec 29, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides | Flood | Jan 30, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, And Flooding | Flood | Jan 6, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Severe Storm | Dec 12, 2008 |
| Columbia Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 21, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| School Fire | Fire | Aug 7, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 1, 2003 | — |
| Flood | Jan 1, 1997 | — |
Flash Flood — Jun 2, 2022
A strong upper level low pressure system off the coast of British Columbia placed the region under a moist southwest flow aloft. At the lower levels, this flow, already saturated soils, and increasing instability in the afternoon allowed developing storms to produce high rainfall rates. Areas of Columbia county, WA saw these high rain rates, resulting in flash flooding.
Flood — Feb 6, 2020
Heavy snow on February 4-5, 2020 was followed by a period of heavy rain, February 5-7. Snow levels rose to near 5000 feet. The heavy rain and snow melt lead to moderate flooding and several landslides along the East Slopes of the Washington Cascades. There was record flooding on several rivers, including the Umatilla, Walla Walla and Touchet rivers with widespread flooding of numerous othe...
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2013
Several reports of severe weather from wind damage, small hail, and flash flooding hit portions of southeast Washington on September 5th. The strongest estimated wind gust was 61 mph. Other damage reports include: a tied down single engine airplane flipped over due to wind, and an irrigation rig ripped from the ground.
Flood — Jan 1, 1997
Several roads and levees damaged by mud slids and washouts.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Columbia County, Washington:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Columbia County, Washington that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.