Enter any address in Walla Walla County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and persistent rainfall are the dominant flood characteristics in Walla Walla County. Recent events include minor flooding along Mill Creek in June 2022 due to persistent rain showers, and more significant flooding in February 2020 along the Walla Walla River and other waterways, caused by heavy rain following snowmelt. In April 2019, high snow water equivalents in the Blue Mountains combined with warm temperatures and heavy rainfall also led to river flooding along the Walla Walla River and its tributaries.
Residents in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk. These zones have experienced National Flood Insurance Program claims, with Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED showing higher average water depths and payouts, indicating potential for significant damage. Properties located near rivers and streams are most susceptible to the types of flooding observed in the county.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Walla Walla County, Washington has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 3 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Blue Creek Fire | Fire | Jul 20, 2015 |
| 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 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake | Feb 28, 2001 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2020 | 8.77M |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2019 | 150.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 30, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2017 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 10, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2012 | 1.25M |
| Flood | Jan 17, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 13, 2022
A persistent upper trough pushed several shortwave troughs supported by a moderate plume of moisture in the middle of June. Persistent rain showers that develop as a result of each shortwave trough produced enough rainfall for area rivers to swell, with minor flooding being observed along portions of Mill Creek.
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...
Flood — Apr 9, 2019
Snow water equivalents near 200% of normal in the Blue Mountains coupled with warm temperatures and near record rainfall total for April produced river flooding along the Walla Walla River and tributaries.
Flood — Feb 5, 2018
Two to three inches of rain fell along the west slopes of the Blue Mountains from February 1st through 4th. The increased runoff caused high water levels and minor flooding along the Umatilla and Walla Walla Rivers.
Flood — Dec 30, 2017
Heavy rain over the northern Blue Mountains resulted in significant rises on rivers and stream flowing out of the Blues.
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 Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla 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.