Pike County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Pike County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.6, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pike County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $434K in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $363K in expected annual loss and about 4.65 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $525K in expected annual loss and about 3.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pike County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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 1968, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Pike County ranks #70 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.64 / yr | $434K |
| Hail | Low | 4.65 / yr | $363K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.47 / yr | $525K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.73 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $235K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 17.11 / yr | $294K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | Low | 64.65 / yr | $156K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $733K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.11 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Low | 25.49 / yr | $44K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.95 / yr | $24K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $83K |
| 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 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Hurricane (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 26.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th 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 Ice Storm (High, $434K EAL), Hail (Low, $363K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $525K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pike County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Pike County ranks #70 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pike County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Pike County since 1968, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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 $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.