Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 42349
Horse Branch, Kentucky
Risk Summary for ZIP 42349
ZIP 42349 scores 6.1/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Ice Storm.
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 42349, Kentucky
Located in the interior eastern United States, ZIP 42349 serves the Horse Branch community. The humid subtropical climate of this part of Kentucky — bringing hot, humid summers and cold winters with ice storm risk — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.
ZIP 42349's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. Secondary hazards include earthquake and hail.
Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 42349's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by ice storm and earthquake, as measured by FEMA across Kentucky. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 42349 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm 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 42349: Ice Storm preparedness
- Keep walkways treated and avoid travel during freezing-rain events.
- Have a backup heat source and charged devices ready before winter storms arrive.
- Prepare for multi-day power outages, as ice accretion frequently downs power lines.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 42349
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 42349 from other communities in Kentucky County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,962
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 37.4°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 2.3/10
Coordinates
37.4269° N, 86.6743° 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 42349
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in Kentucky
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.