Natural Disaster Risk in Bristol
Connecticut
Risk Summary for Bristol
Bristol scores 7.5/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hurricane.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Bristol, Connecticut
Located along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard in Naugatuck Valley County, Bristol is a city of 61,684 residents. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Connecticut — marked by cold winters, warm summers, and four well-defined seasons — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Bristol a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.
FEMA rates Bristol's composite natural disaster risk at 7.5 out of 10 — high risk. Hurricane and tropical storm exposure tops the local risk profile, with the community vulnerable to storm surge, high sustained winds, and flooding rainfall during the June–November season. Residents should also account for ice storm and coastal flood risk in their preparedness planning.
Relative to other U.S. communities, Bristol's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 6.8/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by hurricane and ice storm, as measured by FEMA across Naugatuck Valley County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
Bristol's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Bristol: Hurricane preparedness
- Know your evacuation zone and route before hurricane season begins each June.
- Keep at least a week of supplies on hand; power and water service can be disrupted for days after landfall.
- Wind damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, but storm-surge flooding requires separate flood coverage.
Local Factors for Bristol
These city-level factors differentiate Bristol from other communities in Naugatuck Valley County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
61,684
UrbanGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 41.7°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 5.4/10
Coordinates
41.6810° N, 72.9407° W
Naugatuck Valley County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Bristol
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Bristol
Other cities in Connecticut
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.