Walla Walla County

Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

60.4

National percentile: 60th

Walla Walla County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.4, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $20M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 63K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Earthquake
Medium $5M/yr
Ice Storm
High $830K/yr
Wildfire
Low $570K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Earthquake Medium 0.00 / yr $5M
Ice Storm High 0.54 / yr $830K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $570K
Heat Wave Medium 7.18 / yr $2M
Winter Weather Medium 9.17 / yr $163K
Landslide Low 1.04 / yr $5K
Riverine Flood Low 0.61 / yr $10M
Cold Wave Low 0.39 / yr $971K
Hail Low 0.32 / yr $179K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $261
Strong Wind Low 0.33 / yr $330K
Lightning Low 10.48 / yr $101K
Drought Very Low 22.54 / yr $9K
Tornado Very Low 0.04 / yr $84K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Hurricane Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Walla Walla County?

Walla Walla County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Walla Walla County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $5M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $830K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $570K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Walla Walla County compare to other Washington counties?

Walla Walla County ranks #27 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?

EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Walla Walla County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.