Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 38965
Water Valley, Mississippi
Risk Summary for ZIP 38965
ZIP 38965 scores 5.2/10 (Moderate 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
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 38965, Mississippi
Located in the interior eastern United States, ZIP 38965 serves the Water Valley community. The humid subtropical climate of this part of Mississippi — bringing very hot, humid summers and mild winters — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.
ZIP 38965's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.2/10 (Moderate) 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 earthquake and hurricane.
Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 38965's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly below the 6.1/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by lightning and earthquake, as measured by FEMA across Mississippi. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a moderate risk rating, ZIP 38965 residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for lightning is recommended.
What this means for ZIP 38965: 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 38965
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 38965 from other communities in Mississippi County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
8,963
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 34.1°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 4.7/10
Coordinates
34.1349° N, 89.5926° 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 38965
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.