Pike County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Pike County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.2, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pike County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 19.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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.
Most of Pike County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $223K in expected annual loss and about 4.94 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $306K in expected annual loss and about 8.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
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 federal record bears this out: Pike County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Pike County ranks #81 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 4.94 / yr | $223K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.16 / yr | $306K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.95 / yr | $50K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.41 / yr | $412K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $752K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $29K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.06 / yr | $95K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 5.64 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 53.25 / yr | $76K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $157 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $101K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 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 19.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th 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 Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Low, $223K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $306K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pike County compare to other Indiana counties?
Pike County ranks #81 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pike County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Pike County since 1977, most often 11 for severe storm events and 3 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 $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.