riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Pike County Disaster Risk

Pike County, Alabama

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pike County, Alabama

Pike County sits safely below national risk

Pike County's composite risk score of 43.99 earns a 'Relatively Low' rating and falls 18 points below Alabama's state average of 61.54. This positions Pike among the nation's lower-risk counties for combined natural hazards.

Lower-risk county in Alabama's middle tier

Pike County ranks in Alabama's safer half, with a 43.99 composite score that trails the state average by 18 points. It avoids the extreme risk concentrations of Mobile, Montgomery, and Morgan counties.

Comparable risk to Pickens and Monroe

Pike County's 43.99 score mirrors Pickens County (44.69) and Monroe County (48.66), forming a cluster of moderate-risk counties in south-central Alabama. All three sit well below the state average and are dramatically safer than nearby Montgomery (91.83).

Hurricane and flood risks are notable

Hurricane risk (83.56) is Pike County's highest concern, likely reflecting its proximity to coastal weather systems, followed by flood risk (47.61). Tornado risk (57.73), earthquake risk (57.03), and wildfire risk (33.87) all remain below state average.

Hurricane preparedness plus basic coverage

Pike County residents should maintain standard homeowner insurance and ensure wind/hurricane coverage is included, given the 83.56 hurricane score. Flood insurance is recommended but not urgent given the 47.61 flood risk; review your policy annually for adequate replacement value.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pike County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pike County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Pike County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 44th percentile. At the 44th percentile nationally, Pike County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Pike County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (57th percentile), flood (48th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 84th percentile nationally makes Pike County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Pike County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado at the 58th percentile nationally is Pike County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Pike County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Pike County's composite risk score sits 17.6 points below the Alabama county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Pike County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pike County, AL?
Pike County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Pike County?
Pike County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (84th percentile), tornado (58th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 84th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Pike County risk compare to the Alabama average?
Pike County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Alabama state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pike County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alabama.
Is Pike County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Pike County's hurricane risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pike County is at the 48th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Pike County a safe place to live?
Pike County's composite risk score of 44th percentile is below the Alabama state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 84th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Pickens County

Alabama

+0.7

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Butler County

Alabama

+1.2

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Washington County

Alabama

+1.7

Relatively Low

46th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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