Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 38548
Buffalo Valley, Tennessee
Risk Summary for ZIP 38548
ZIP 38548 scores 6.5/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Lightning.
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 38548, Tennessee
Located in the interior eastern United States, ZIP 38548 serves the Buffalo Valley community. The humid subtropical climate of this part of Tennessee — bringing hot summers, mild winters, and transitional weather patterns — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.
ZIP 38548's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.5/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Frequent lightning strikes from an active thunderstorm environment represent the top natural hazard risk, posing safety concerns and causing fire ignitions and power outages. Secondary hazards include tornado and earthquake.
Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 38548's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.8/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by lightning and tornado, as measured by FEMA across Tennessee. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 38548 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for lightning 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 ZIP 38548: Lightning preparedness
- Follow the "when thunder roars, go indoors" rule and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
- Avoid plumbing and corded electronics during active thunderstorms.
- Install whole-home surge protection to shield electronics from strike-related power surges.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 38548
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 38548 from other communities in Tennessee County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,154
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.2°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 3.6/10
Coordinates
36.1725° N, 85.7920° 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 38548
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in Tennessee
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.