Natural Disaster Risk in College Place
Washington
Risk Summary for College Place
College Place scores 6.0/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: College Place, Washington
College Place, in Walla Walla County, is a city of approximately 10,137 residents situated in the Pacific Northwest. Its oceanic climate brings mild, rainy winters west of the Cascades and semi-arid conditions to the east, and in particular a critical wildfire period in eastern Washington each summer. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that College Place residents and property owners must navigate.
College Place's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.0/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area's position within a seismically active region makes earthquake preparedness a top priority for residents and property owners alike. Secondary hazards include ice storm and avalanche.
Within Washington, College Place's risk is, near the 5.8/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Walla Walla County identifies earthquake as the foremost hazard, followed by ice storm and avalanche. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, College Place residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for earthquake and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for College Place: Earthquake preparedness
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
Local Factors for College Place
These city-level factors differentiate College Place from other communities in Walla Walla County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
10,137
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Pacific Coast
Tsunami, coastal flood & wildfire risk
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 46.0°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 8.6/10
Coordinates
46.0438° N, 118.3854° W
Walla Walla County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for College Place
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in College Place
Other cities in Washington
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.