Wilder Cemetery · Photo: DanielPenfield · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Bristol than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bristol gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 South Bristol’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South 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
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 South Bristol’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Bristol, and South Bristol’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Bristol’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $731K a year in losses across South Bristol: $671K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Bristol flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Bristol, from FEMA’s records: 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $3K
South 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: Ontario County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Bristol
Disasters that paid out in South Bristol itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of South Bristol), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$198K to the Town of South Bristol for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$249K to the Town of South Bristol for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$14K to the Town of South Bristol for repairs
- 1999Snow$9K to the Town of South Bristol for repairs
Ontario County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of South Bristol after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Bristol archive →South Bristol and its neighbors
South Bristol is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Richmond | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| South Bristol | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Middlesex | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Italy | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Naples | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Canandaigua | — | not graded yet | |
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 South 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.
- 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 South Bristol
Is South Bristol at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bristol has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 South Bristol flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in South Bristol since 1978, $193K in all, or 15.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (1).
Is South 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 Ontario County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in South Bristol?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South 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 South Bristol?
By FEMA money that reached South Bristol, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $249K to the Town of South Bristol for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 1 paid, $3K.
Is South Bristol at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and South Bristol’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Bristol.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South 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.