Natural Disasters in Bristol, VA

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

8.6

Very Low

Expected Annual Loss

4.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

86.8

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

23.6

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Earthquake59.5Landslide45.1Strong Wind40.9
HazardRisk Score
Earthquake59.5
Landslide45.1
Strong Wind40.9
Lightning36.0
Hurricane33.2
Cold Wave27.4
Winter Weather19.8
Tornado16.5
Ice Storm8.8
Hail8.5
Wildfire0.6

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

13

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Hurricane

4 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Jan 23, 2026Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Apr 4, 2025Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Oct 1, 2024Tropical StormTROPICAL STORM HELENE
Sep 29, 2024Tropical StormPOST-TROPICAL CYCLONE HELENE
Apr 2, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Oct 15, 2018HurricaneHURRICANE FLORENCE
Sep 11, 2018HurricaneHURRICANE FLORENCE
Oct 29, 2012HurricaneHURRICANE SANDY
Sep 12, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Jan 13, 1996SnowstormBLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM)
Mar 10, 1994SnowstormSEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING
Mar 25, 1993SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

532

Total IA Distributed

$2,506,697

Repair/Replace

$83,276

Rental Assistance

$13,896

DisasterRegistrationsTotal IA $Avg Damage
DR-19741N/A—
DR-45151N/A—
DR-4514375$2,229,662—
DR-451242$141,223—
DR-4831113$135,812$1,979

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

24

Total Claims Paid

$127,744

Avg Claim Payout

$5,323

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Bristol has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, landslide, strong wind. The area has had 13 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (4 declarations). 24 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $2,506,697 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents.