Pike County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Pike County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 40.3, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
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 40.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 9.68 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $27K in expected annual loss and about 0.41 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $547K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pike County has a low 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.
History supports the rating: Pike County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Pike County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.68 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.41 / yr | $27K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $547K |
| Hail | Low | 4.25 / yr | $407K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.81 / yr | $669K |
| Drought | Low | 6.14 / yr | $221K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.49 / yr | $293K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.16 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.46 / yr | $799K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.42 / yr | $35K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.14 / yr | $26K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| 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 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (6), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 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 40.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th 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 Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Landslide (Low, $27K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $547K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pike County compare to other Missouri counties?
Pike County ranks #72 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pike County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Pike County since 1965, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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 $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.