Bristol, VA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Bristol is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk — among the lowest-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Bristol, VA. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, landslide, and strong wind.
Storm events near Bristol
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Bristol's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Bristol itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Bristol's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Bristol along with the rest of the county, not a Bristol-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 23.1 | Very Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 59.5 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Tornado | 16.5 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 27.4 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 8.5 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 33.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 8.8 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 45.1 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 36 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 40.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 19.8 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Bristol risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
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Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Bristol, VA at risk of?
Bristol is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Bristol, where Bristol is located, are earthquake, landslide, and strong wind.
What is Bristol's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Bristol, where Bristol is located, scoring 59.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Low").
Is Bristol a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Bristol carries among the lowest-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very Low" for Bristol.
Has Bristol had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 1 tornado, 35 hail, 68 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Bristol since 2016.