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

Pike County Disaster Risk

Pike County, Missouri

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 115 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pike County, Missouri

Pike County ranks very low nationally

Pike County's composite risk score of 40.30 places it well below the national average, earning a very low risk rating overall. This favorable position reflects relatively modest exposure across most major hazard types, from tornadoes (37.95) to hurricanes (22.15).

Missouri's safest counties

Pike County's score of 40.30 sits significantly below Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the state's lowest-risk counties. This resilience positions Pike among the safest places in Missouri for natural disaster exposure.

Safest among regional peers

Pike County (40.30) enjoys notably lower risk than nearby Phelps County (53.72) and Pulaski County (60.53), making it the safest county in its immediate region. Even compared to Randolph County (35.85), Pike maintains a solid low-risk standing with more balanced hazard exposure.

Earthquake risk tops modest threats

Pike County's highest risk comes from earthquakes at 62.69, though this remains below the state average for earthquake exposure. Flood risk (45.13) and wildfire risk (41.95) are secondary concerns, with tornado (37.95) and hurricane (22.15) risks substantially below state norms.

Standard coverage protects Pike County

A standard homeowners policy with earthquake endorsement provides adequate protection for Pike County residents facing minimal natural disaster risk. Flood insurance is optional but recommended for properties in mapped flood zones, though county-wide flood exposure remains low.

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
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    45th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pike County

Risk Verdict

Pike County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 40th percentile nationally. Residents of Pike County can use the 40th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Pike County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (42th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 63th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Pike County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Pike County's flood risk at the 45th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Pike County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Pike County falls 10.3 points below Missouri's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

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, MO?
Pike County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 (63th percentile), flooding (45th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 63th 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 Missouri average?
Pike County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Missouri state average of 51th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pike County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Missouri.
Is Pike County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Pike County's earthquake risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Pike County is at the 45th 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 40th percentile is below the Missouri state average of 51th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dallas County

Missouri

+1.4

Very Low

42th percentile

Montgomery County

Missouri

-2.0

Very Low

38th percentile

Barton County

Missouri

+3.3

Relatively Low

44th 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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