Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 23437
Suffolk, Virginia
Risk Summary for ZIP 23437
ZIP 23437 scores 6.7/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
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: ZIP 23437, Virginia
Located along the mid-Atlantic coast, ZIP 23437 serves the Suffolk community. The humid subtropical climate of this part of Virginia — bringing hot, humid summers and four distinct seasons — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.
ZIP 23437's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.7/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. Secondary hazards include drought and hurricane.
Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 23437's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, considerably above the 5.1/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by coastal flood and drought, as measured by FEMA across Virginia. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
ZIP 23437's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for ZIP 23437: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 23437
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 23437 from other communities in Virginia County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
5,023
Small TownGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.6°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.1/10
Coordinates
36.6353° N, 76.8026° W
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for ZIP 23437
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in Virginia
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). County-level data applied to ZIP codes within each county. Scores are normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. This information is for general awareness only — consult official emergency management resources and a licensed insurer for property-specific advice.