Bristol City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Bristol City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.6, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bristol City at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 8.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Bristol City's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $296K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $643 in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $284K in expected annual loss and about 3.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bristol City has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Bristol City has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 4 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Bristol City ranks #110 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $296K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $643 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.31 / yr | $284K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.37 / yr | $92K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.31 / yr | $245K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.04 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $113K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.98 / yr | $16K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $182 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 12.22 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bristol City has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Snowstorm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bristol City?
Bristol City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bristol City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $296K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $643 EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $284K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bristol City compare to other Virginia counties?
Bristol City ranks #110 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bristol City had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Bristol City since 1993, most often 4 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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 City's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.