Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 51238
Hospers, Iowa
Risk Summary for ZIP 51238
ZIP 51238 scores 5.7/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hail.
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 51238, Iowa
Located in the interior eastern United States, ZIP 51238 serves the Hospers community. The humid continental climate of this part of Iowa — bringing cold winters, hot summers, and frequent severe weather — directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.
ZIP 51238's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.7/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hail is the primary natural disaster concern, with severe storms delivering baseball-sized or larger hailstones that cause significant insured losses each year. Secondary hazards include winter and tornado.
Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 51238's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, near the 5.4/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by hail and winter, as measured by FEMA across Iowa. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a moderate risk rating, ZIP 51238 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 hail is recommended.
What this means for ZIP 51238: Hail preparedness
- Park vehicles under cover when severe storms are forecast to avoid costly hail damage.
- Document roof and property condition annually to streamline any future hail claims.
- Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing can reduce hail damage and may lower insurance premiums.
Risk for the surrounding area
Local Factors for ZIP 51238
These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 51238 from other communities in Iowa County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,502
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 43.1°
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
43.0758° N, 95.8907° 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 51238
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
Nearby ZIP codes
Other cities in Iowa
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.