🌍 ClimateRiskCheck

Natural Disaster Risk β€” ZIP Code 36740

Forkland, Alabama

4.9out of 10
Moderate Risk

Risk Summary for ZIP 36740

ZIP 36740 scores 4.9/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Extreme Heat.

Top Hazards

Extreme Heat Hurricane Lightning

All 18 Hazard Scores

Extreme Heat
8.8
Hurricane
7.5
Lightning
7.2
Earthquake
6.7
Tornado
5.9
Strong Wind
5.7
Tsunami
5.4
Volcanic Activity
5.1
Coastal Flooding
4.9
Landslide
4.6
Avalanche
4.5
Drought
3.5
Ice Storm
3.5
Hail
3.2
Cold Wave
2.9
Wildfire
2.5
Winter Weather
1.6
Riverine Flooding
1.0

How it compares

ZIP 36740
4.9
Alabama avg.
6.0
US national avg.
4.5

Live Conditions

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🏠 What this means for insurance

Average risk β€” standard coverage usually sufficient

This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.

This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.

Natural Hazard Profile: ZIP 36740, Alabama

ZIP 36740 in Forkland sits in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate produces hot, humid summers and mild winters typical of the Deep South, and notably an active spring tornado season. These conditions define the natural disaster environment for households across this ZIP code.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, ZIP 36740 carries an overall risk score of 4.9/10, placing it in the moderate category. Extreme heat is the top natural hazard concern, with summer temperatures regularly reaching dangerous thresholds that pose serious health risks, particularly for elderly and outdoor workers. The area also faces notable exposure to hurricane and lightning.

Within Alabama, ZIP 36740's risk is, slightly below the 6.0/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Alabama identifies heat as the foremost hazard, followed by hurricane and lightning. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

ZIP 36740's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that heat exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.

What this means for ZIP 36740: Extreme Heat preparedness

  • Stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours when heat advisories are issued.
  • Ensure reliable air conditioning and identify nearby cooling centers for extreme heat days.
  • Check on elderly neighbors and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

Risk for the surrounding area

Local Factors for ZIP 36740

These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 36740 from other communities in Alabama County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.

Population

936

Rural

Geographic Zone

Inland

Reduced coastal hazard exposure

Climate Band

Mild Temperate

Latitude 32.6Β°

Flood Terrain

Minimal β€” county topography limits flood risk

Flood score: 1.0/10

Wildfire Exposure

Lower β€” moist climate limits wildfire frequency

Fire score: 2.5/10

Coordinates

32.6242Β° N, 87.8321Β° 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 36740

Last 12 months Β· Source: Open-Meteo archive

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Nearby ZIP codes

Other cities in Alabama

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 β€” consult official emergency management resources and a licensed insurer for property-specific advice.