Pike County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Pike County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.9, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pike County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 65.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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.
Risk here concentrates in riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $18M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 58K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pike County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pike County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Pike County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $18M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.00 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $195K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.56 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.00 / yr | $100K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.14 / yr | $757K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $368K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.45 / yr | $280K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $299 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.90 / yr | $222K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.64 / yr | $47K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $431K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $641 |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.39 / yr | $33K |
| 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 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2013 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| June 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| April 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 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 65.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th 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 Riverine Flood (Medium, $18M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pike County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Pike County ranks #40 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pike County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Pike County since 1965, most often 6 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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 $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.