Pike County, Georgia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · GA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Pike County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.0, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pike County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 8.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $139K in expected annual loss and about 51.90 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $134K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pike County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pike County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 159 Georgia counties, Pike County ranks #140 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Low | 51.90 / yr | $139K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $65K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $134K |
| Hail | Low | 4.54 / yr | $131K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $161K |
| Lightning | Low | 62.47 / yr | $119K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $445K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.79 / yr | $25K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.29 / yr | $222K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $44 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $37K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $2K |
| 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 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| March 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2014 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 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 8.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th 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 Drought (Low, $139K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $65K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $134K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pike County compare to other Georgia counties?
Pike County ranks #140 of 159 Georgia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pike County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Pike County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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 $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.