Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bristol than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bristol gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #3 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 145 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
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 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bristol, and Bristol’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #3 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bristol’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Rhode Island town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bristol has less expected damage per building than 95% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Bristol: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bristol flood? Yes: 145 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bristol, from FEMA’s records: 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter55 claims · $568K
- Hurricane Bob25 claims · $239K
- Hurricane Sandy7 claims · $173K
Bristol is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.7 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.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$94K to the Town of Bristol for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$153K to the Town of Bristol for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $173K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$142K to the Town of Bristol for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding550 households applied for aid$589K aid approved$157K to the Town of Bristol for repairs57 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2005Record Snow$66K to the Town of Bristol for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Bristol County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 145 |
| Portsmouth | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Warren | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Tiverton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Barrington | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 314 |
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.
- 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.
- Bristol residents get 15% off flood insurance.
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 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #3 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bristol flood?
Flood insurance has paid 145 claims in Bristol since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (55).
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 Bristol County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bristol?
Bristol is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 (2010): 550 households applied for aid, $589K approved, and $157K to the Town of Bristol for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 55 paid, $568K.
Is Bristol at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Bristol’s rate for it is lower than 93% 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.