Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Bristol’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% 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 88% of U.S. towns, #8 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then earthquakes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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
Earthquakes
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 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bristol, and Bristol’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #8 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bristol’s residents live in 14 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bristol has less expected damage per building than 96% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Bristol: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bristol flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bristol, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bristol is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sullivan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bristol
Disasters that paid out in Bristol itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bristol), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene$253K to the City of Bristol for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding1 households applied for aid$307K to the City of Bristol for repairs
Sullivan County has had 8 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.
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 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Hill | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bristol | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Bristol | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Bluff City | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Blountville | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 10% 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 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #8 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bristol flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Bristol since 1979, $117K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 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 Sullivan County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bristol?
Bristol is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $307K to the City 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 (84%), and Bristol’s rate for it is lower than 65% 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.