Bristol County
Massachusetts — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Bristol County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.9, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $87M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.32 / yr | $62M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $10M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.07 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 0.74 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.60 / yr | $558K |
| Lightning | Medium | 20.00 / yr | $650K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.72 / yr | $922K |
| Drought | Low | 4.09 / yr | $295K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.08 / yr | $55K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.30 / yr | $22K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bristol County?
Bristol County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bristol County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (High, $62M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $10M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bristol County compare to other Massachusetts counties?
Bristol County ranks #8 of 14 Massachusetts counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Bristol County's $87M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.