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

Pike County Disaster Risk

Pike County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

66th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pike County, Pennsylvania

Pike County's wildfire risk stands out nationally

Pike County's composite risk score of 65.87 falls slightly below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, but masks a nationally significant wildfire risk of 71.91. This elevated wildfire hazard—driven by extensive forests and dry conditions—distinguishes Pike from most other counties in its risk profile.

Mid-range risk with uncommon wildfire threat

Pike County ranks in the middle of Pennsylvania's risk distribution but stands out for wildfire exposure that exceeds most state peers. Its 71.91 wildfire score is among the highest in Pennsylvania, reflecting the county's heavily forested landscape and limited water infrastructure for fire suppression.

Wildfire risk significantly higher than peers

Pike County's 71.91 wildfire risk is dramatically higher than neighboring Northumberland (31.33), Snyder (17.68), and Somerset (40.78) counties, making it the regional wildfire hotspot. Its overall composite score (65.87) remains comparable to these neighbors, but the concentration of forest fire hazard is distinctly elevated.

Wildfires and floods dominate the hazard picture

Pike County's two defining threats are wildfire risk (71.91) and flood risk (78.78), both tied to the county's natural geography and heavy vegetation. Tornado risk (27.80) and earthquake risk (56.08) are moderate, while wildfire exposure remains the county's most distinctive and urgent concern.

Wildfire and flood preparedness are essential

Pike County residents should implement wildfire defensibility measures around their properties—clearing brush, trimming tree branches, and using fire-resistant materials—and ensure their homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage. Obtain separate flood insurance to protect against the county's 78.78 flood risk from regional precipitation and river systems.

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
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Pike County

Risk Verdict

At the 66th percentile nationally, Pike County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Pike County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Pike County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), tornado (28th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Pike County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 77th percentile nationally, means Pike County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Pike County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

At 1.6 points from the Pennsylvania county mean, Pike County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

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, PA?
Pike County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 66th 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 (79th percentile), hurricane (77th percentile), wildfire (72th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), tornado (28th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 79th 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 Pennsylvania average?
Pike County's composite risk percentile is 66th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pike County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Pike County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Pike County's flooding risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 66th percentile is below the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 79th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lawrence County

Pennsylvania

+0.3

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Warren County

Pennsylvania

-0.3

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Clearfield County

Pennsylvania

+1.2

Relatively Low

67th 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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