Bristol County Disaster Risk
Bristol County, Rhode Island
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
19th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#5
of 5 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
66th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bristol County, Rhode Island
Bristol: Well Below National Risk
Bristol County's composite risk score of 19.40 places it in the Very Low category, significantly safer than the typical U.S. county. Most natural hazards here rank far below national averages, making this one of Rhode Island's lowest-risk areas for disaster exposure.
Safest County in Rhode Island
Bristol's composite score of 19.40 is the lowest among all Rhode Island counties—substantially below the state average of 56.59. This makes Bristol the most resilient county in the state when measured across all major natural disaster categories.
Safer Than Every RI Neighbor
Bristol's 19.40 score outpaces Newport County (36.42), Washington County (64.03), Kent County (69.43), and Providence County (93.67) across the board. No other Rhode Island county comes close to Bristol's low-risk profile.
Hurricane and Flood Are Top Concerns
Hurricane risk (74.18) and flood risk (65.80) are Bristol's most significant hazards, though both remain well-controlled compared to inland counties. Tornado, wildfire, and earthquake risks all score below 13, posing minimal threat to residents.
Prioritize Flood and Wind Coverage
While Bristol enjoys low overall risk, coastal flood and hurricane damage are real possibilities—ensure your homeowner's policy covers wind and flood damage, or secure a separate flood policy. Standard homeowner insurance typically excludes flood, so verify coverage with your insurer today.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bristol County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bristol County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Bristol County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 19th percentile. Bristol County residents can take confidence from a 19th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Bristol County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (51th percentile), tornado (13th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 74th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Bristol County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 66th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Bristol County independent of hurricane season. For Bristol County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.
Regional Context
Bristol County is 37.2 composite risk points below the Rhode Island state mean, meaning most other Rhode Island counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Bristol County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bristol County, RI?
What types of natural hazards affect Bristol County?
How does Bristol County risk compare to the Rhode Island average?
Is Bristol County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Bristol County a safe place to live?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.