Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bristol than in 91% 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 91% of U.S. towns, #61 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then earthquakes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1980.
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 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 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bristol, and Bristol’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #61 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bristol’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bristol has less expected damage per building than 76% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Bristol: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bristol flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bristol, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $16K
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: the county.1 federal disaster 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 Helene96 households applied for aid$130K aid approved$102K to the City of Bristol for repairs
has had 9 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 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Bristol | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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.
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 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #61 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) 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 13 claims in Bristol since 1980, $110K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (1).
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 the county, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 96 households applied for aid, $130K approved, and $102K to the City of Bristol for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Bristol at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Bristol’s rate for it is lower than 71% 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.