Bristol City

Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

8.6

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

Expected Annual Loss $3M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 17K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Earthquake
Low $296K/yr
Landslide
Very Low $643/yr
Strong Wind
Low $284K/yr

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

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.

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.