Natural Disaster Risk in Pikeville

Natural Hazard Profile: Pikeville, Kentucky

Pikeville, in Pike County, is a city of approximately 23,754 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers and cold winters with ice storm risk, and in particular recurring winter ice storm events. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Pikeville residents and property owners must navigate.

Pikeville's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.3/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include avalanche and wildfire.

Within Kentucky, Pikeville's risk is, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Pike County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by avalanche and wildfire. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Pikeville residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.