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

Pike County Disaster Risk

Pike County, Ohio

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#62

of 88 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pike County, Ohio

Pike County faces well-below-average risk

Pike County's composite risk score of 43.13 ranks as "Relatively Low," placing it among safer regions nationally for natural disasters. The county experiences significantly fewer high-impact hazards than typical U.S. counties.

Safest county in our region

At 43.13, Pike County scores well below Ohio's average of 55.03, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. This 12-point gap represents meaningful protection against statewide disaster patterns.

Pike leads its peer group in safety

Pike County (43.13) is notably safer than Pickaway (50.92), Preble (43.29), and Putnam (32.86) counties. Its low scores across multiple hazard types make it a relative haven in southern Ohio.

Floods remain Pike's primary concern

Flooding is Pike's highest-risk hazard at 63.87, though this still ranks below state flood risk patterns. Wildfire risk (24.17) and tornado risk (37.44) both remain manageable compared to neighboring counties.

Flood coverage is still essential

Even in low-risk Pike County, flood damage isn't covered by standard homeowners insurance—purchase a separate policy to protect your investment. Maintain gutters and drainage systems to reduce localized flooding around your property.

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
    FloodPrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Pike County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 43th, Pike County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. The 43th percentile national ranking is one lens; Pike County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Pike County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (42th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk ranking at the 64th percentile nationally, Pike County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. Secondary earthquake exposure at the 43th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Registering for Pike County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.

Regional Context

Pike County falls 11.9 points below Ohio'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, OH?
Pike County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 43th 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: flooding (64th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 64th 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 Ohio average?
Pike County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Ohio 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 Ohio.
Is Pike County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Pike County's flooding risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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 43th percentile is below the Ohio state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.