Enter any address in Bristol city, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bristol city, Virginia has recorded 13 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Post-tropical Cyclone Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Blizzard Of 96 (severe Snow Storm) | Snowstorm | Jan 6, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 30, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 28, 2011 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2010 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Sep 26, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 24, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2003 | — |
| Flood | Feb 14, 2003 | 50K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2003 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2025
Training thunderstorms affected the far northeast Tennessee valley and southwest Virginia on the evening of the 30th, producing some flash flooding across those areas.
Flood — Feb 1, 2025
A strong upper trough over the central plains produced two days of rain over southwest Virginia as it approached and crossed the area between the end of January and first day of February. Minor flooding along the Clinch river occurred as a result, with rises beginning on January 31st but crossing into flood categories on February 1st.
Flood — Jan 30, 2013
Heavy rain returned to the area. With soils already saturated from the event of the 15th-16th, flooding again developed.
Flood — Feb 28, 2011
A strong storm system triggered slow moving thunderstorms across southwest VA on the 28th. The storms brought heavy rain and flooding to many cities and rural areas.
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2010
A boundary across the region triggered isolated slow moving thunderstorms over the area resulting in flooding in a few locations. One person was swept away in flood waters and drowned.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bristol city, Virginia:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Bristol city, Virginia that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.