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

Pike County Disaster Risk

Pike County, Arkansas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#70

of 75 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pike County, Arkansas

Pike County's strong low-risk position

Pike County scores 26.56, placing it in the Very Low risk category and significantly below national averages. This favorable position reflects relatively modest exposure to major natural hazards across all threat types.

Among Arkansas's safest counties

Pike County's 26.56 score ranks it among the state's lowest-risk counties, falling 52% below Arkansas's average of 55.51. This strong safety profile positions Pike as one of the most protected counties in the state.

Lower risk than most regional peers

Pike County's 26.56 score places it among the safest in its region, comparable to Perry County (28.05) and below Montgomery County (30.69). Only Newton County's 18.45 rating surpasses Pike's low-risk position in this rural area.

Wildfire and earthquake pose modest risks

Wildfire risk at 49.90 and earthquake risk at 52.51 represent Pike County's highest hazard exposures, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Tornado (43.07), hurricane (49.65), and flood (39.95) risks all fall below state averages.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Pike County's very low composite risk score means standard homeowners insurance typically offers adequate protection for most residents. Rural and forest-adjacent properties should verify wildfire coverage, and any flood-prone areas should maintain dedicated flood insurance.

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
    EarthquakePrepare
    53th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pike County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Pike County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 27th percentile. At the 27th 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

Earthquake risk is Pike County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 53th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (50th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flood (40th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 53th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Pike County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Pike County's wildfire risk at the 50th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Pike County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Pike County is 28.9 composite risk points below the Arkansas state mean, meaning most other Arkansas counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

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, AR?
Pike County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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: earthquake (53th percentile), wildfire (50th percentile), hurricane (50th percentile), tornado (43th percentile), flooding (40th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 53th 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 Arkansas average?
Pike County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pike County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arkansas.
Is Pike County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Pike County's earthquake risk is at the 53th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Pike County is at the 40th 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 27th percentile is below the Arkansas state average of 56th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 53th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Scott County

Arkansas

+0.3

Very Low

27th percentile

Searcy County

Arkansas

+1.2

Very Low

28th percentile

Perry County

Arkansas

+1.5

Very Low

28th 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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