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

Pike County Disaster Risk

Pike County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

30th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#80

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

34th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pike County, Illinois

Pike County ranks as one of Illinois's safest

Pike County's composite risk score of 30.34 is among the lowest in the nation and 44% below Illinois's state average of 54.46, earning a "Very Low" rating. This makes Pike County an exceptionally safe haven from natural disasters compared to typical U.S. counties, particularly regarding wildfire and earthquake threats.

Pike ranks in Illinois's bottom 10% for risk

With a score of 30.34, Pike County falls well below the state median, placing it among roughly the bottom 15 counties of Illinois's 102 for disaster risk. This favorable standing reflects the county's low seismic activity, minimal wildfire exposure, and moderate tornado susceptibility.

Pike outperforms nearly all regional counties

Pike County's 30.34 score is better than surrounding Perry County (72.07) and Randolph County (78.63), making it a relative safe zone in southwestern Illinois. Only nearby Pope County (14.89) and Putnam County (9.16) score lower among nearby jurisdictions, marking Pike as part of central Illinois's lower-risk cluster.

Flood and tornado are minor concerns

Pike County's top hazards are flood risk at 33.65 and tornado risk at 33.02—both well below state averages—with wildfire risk nearly negligible at just 0.95. Earthquake exposure, at 47.71, is Pike's highest individual risk score but remains moderate in absolute terms.

Standard homeowners insurance is typically adequate

Pike County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance usually provides sufficient coverage for most residents, though flood-prone properties should verify coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. Verify that wind and hail protection is included to address Pike's modest tornado exposure.

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
    48th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    33th 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 30th percentile. At the 30th 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 48th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (33th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 48th 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. The county's flood risk at the 34th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. 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 24.1 composite risk points below the Illinois state mean, meaning most other Illinois 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, IL?
Pike County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 30th 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 (48th percentile), flooding (34th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), hurricane (25th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 48th 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 Illinois average?
Pike County's composite risk percentile is 30th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pike County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Pike County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Pike County's earthquake risk is at the 48th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Pike County is at the 34th 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 30th percentile is below the Illinois state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 48th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hamilton County

Illinois

+0.5

Very Low

31th percentile

Hancock County

Illinois

+0.7

Very Low

31th percentile

De Witt County

Illinois

-1.1

Very Low

29th 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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