Pike County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Pike County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.0, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pike County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 44.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Pike County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.12 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $951K in expected annual loss and about 8.95 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $330K in expected annual loss and about 70.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pike County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pike County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 11 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Pike County ranks #50 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.95 / yr | $951K |
| Lightning | Medium | 70.35 / yr | $330K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.38 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.61 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $303K |
| Drought | Low | 30.87 / yr | $122K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.69 / yr | $428K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.78 / yr | $70K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $95K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pike County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Michael |
| October 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nate |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pike County?
Pike County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pike County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $951K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $330K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pike County compare to other Alabama counties?
Pike County ranks #50 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pike County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Pike County since 1975, most often 11 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Pike County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.