Photo: HELVETIQ · CC BY 2.0For coastal flooding, Bristol’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bristol gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #100 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Bristol’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bristol faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
Ice storms
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bristol’s grade
River and rain flooding is 36% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bristol, and Bristol’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #100 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bristol’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bristol has more expected damage per building than 70% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $926K a year in losses across Bristol: $827K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bristol flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bristol, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bristol isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bristol
Disasters that paid out in Bristol itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bristol), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$544K to the Town of Bristol for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$276K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$12K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$15K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$108K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2007Flooding$5K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$13K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
Lincoln County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bristol after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bristol archive →Bristol and its neighbors
Bristol is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bristol | B+less damage than 69% | hurricanes | 6 |
| Friendship | B+less damage than 66% | hurricanes | — |
| Damariscotta | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Bristol | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Newcastle | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| St. George | B−more damage than 52% | coastal flooding | 4 |
| Bremen | — | 917 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Monhegan plantation | — | 120 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bristol faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bristol
Is Bristol at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bristol has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #100 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%) and hurricanes (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bristol flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Bristol since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bristol in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Lincoln County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bristol?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bristol’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bristol?
By FEMA money that reached Bristol, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $544K to the Town of Bristol for repairs.
Is Bristol at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (36%), and Bristol’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bristol.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bristol’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.