Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 38603
Ashland, Mississippi
Risk Summary for ZIP 38603
ZIP 38603 scores 4.8/10 (Moderate risk), near 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
Average risk — 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 38603, Mississippi
ZIP 38603 in Ashland sits in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate produces very hot, humid summers and mild winters, and notably overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons. These conditions define the natural disaster environment for households across this ZIP code.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, ZIP 38603 carries an overall risk score of 4.8/10, placing it in the moderate category. Seismic activity is the dominant hazard, with the community situated in or near an active tectonic zone capable of producing damaging ground shaking. The area also faces notable exposure to landslide and tornado.
Within Mississippi, ZIP 38603's risk is, slightly below the 6.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Mississippi identifies earthquake as the foremost hazard, followed by landslide and tornado. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
ZIP 38603'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 earthquake exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for ZIP 38603: 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.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 38603
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 38603 from other communities in Mississippi County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
2,530
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 34.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 5.7/10
Coordinates
34.8395° N, 89.1416° 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 38603
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in Mississippi
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.