NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Bristol, FL
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
69 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Bristol, Florida since 1851, 22 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Nicole in 2022. Since 1950, 68 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 22
- Tropical storms
- 47
- Tornadoes
- 68
- EF3 or stronger
- 0
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
5 deaths in all
What the records show for Bristol
The strongest storm to pass near Bristol was Michael in 2018, a Category 4 hurricane with 142 mph winds when its centre passed 16 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1877, whose centre crossed the city. The record near Bristol begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Nicole in 2022, a tropical storm 61 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1900s, with 8 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 69 systems, 11 have come since 2000. Of the 407 Florida cities on this site, 60% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Bristol. The highest rating among the 68 tornadoes within 25 miles is F2 or EF2, reached 13 times; the most recent, on May 10, 2024, came within 24 miles. The deadliest, an F2 on September 15, 2004, killed 4 people. Of the 68, 5 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 37 have come since 2000. April has had the most tornadoes, 11. The most recent tornado was on April 7, 2025. Of the 407 Florida cities, 90% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Bristol. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 15 times since 2002, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 407 Florida cities, 85% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Bristol.
Compare Bristol's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Bristol
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | NicoleNov 11 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | MindySep 9 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2021 | FredAug 16 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 19 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 10 | 16 mi | Category 4 (142 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2018 | AlbertoMay 28 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2016 | HermineSep 2 | 54 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2009 | ClaudetteAug 16 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | FayAug 23 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | FrancesSep 6 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2004 | BonnieAug 12 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 3 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 5 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1994 | BerylAug 16 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 3 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1976 | Unnamed 1976 stormMay 23 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 20 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | BeckyJul 22 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1966 | AlmaJun 9 | 49 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1964 | HildaOct 5 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | DoraSep 11 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | DebbieSep 8 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1957 | Unnamed 1957 stormJun 8 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 25 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1953 | FlorenceSep 27 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1953 | AliceJun 6 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 7 | 23 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1939 | Unnamed 1939 stormAug 12 | 53 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormSep 20 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormAug 31 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1932 | Unnamed 1932 stormSep 15 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 1 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 14 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 10 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 29 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 15 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1917 | Unnamed 1917 stormSep 29 | 68 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormSep 4 | 25 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1914 | Unnamed 1914 stormSep 17 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1909 | Unnamed 1909 stormJun 30 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 28 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormJun 12 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 13 | 41 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 28 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 17 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormJun 13 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormAug 1 | 10 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormAug 3 | 28 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormJul 7 | 71 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 9 mi | Category 2 (108 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 30 | 23 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 21 | 58 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormSep 21 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 31 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormAug 31 | 36 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 10 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 3 | overhead | Category 1 (94 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormSep 20 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1875 | Unnamed 1875 stormSep 27 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1873 | Unnamed 1873 stormSep 19 | 47 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormOct 5 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 26 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1868 | Unnamed 1868 stormOct 4 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormOct 6 | 66 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 31 | 30 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 9 | 46 mi | Category 2 (102 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 23 | 21 mi | Category 2 (106 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Bristol: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Bristol
By decade
- 2020s12
- 2010s14
- 2000s11
- 1990s10
- 1980s3
- 1970s9
- 1960s7
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2004 | F2 | 11 mi | 7 mi | 4 / 5 |
| Jan 12, 1975 | F2 | 17 mi | 168.5 mi | 1 / 33 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 24 mi | 24.21 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 27, 2023 | EF2 | 10 mi | 2.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 17, 2014 | EF2 | 6 mi | 22.21 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Mar 20, 2003 | F2 | 24 mi | 8 mi | 0 / 3 |
| Mar 15, 2001 | F2 | 15 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 25, 1981 | F2 | 8 mi | 6.9 mi | 0 / 12 |
| May 8, 1972 | F2 | 15 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | F2 | 12 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 30, 1963 | F2 | 12 mi | 61 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 20, 1961 | F2 | 19 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 68, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Bristol
The Storm Prediction Center has 15 hail reports within 10 miles of Bristol since 2002, made on 10 separate days. Of these, 8 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 2 days, most recently May 22, 2012. The most recent report is from May 12, 2023. April and May have the most reports, 5 each.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Bristol
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Wewahitchka, FL, 22 miles southwest of Bristol at 42 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 89°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 63°F and 40°F. July is the wettest at 8.2 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 3.2 inches; the year adds up to 63.0 inches over 90 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 57% of the year's precipitation (36.0 of 63.0 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 69 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (23); a normal September there has highs of 86°F and 6.6 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 68 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 23 nights a year. That 63.0 inches is more than at 105 of the 125 Florida stations used on this site (84%). Altha, 17 miles northwest, has its own station (Marianna Municipal Airport, FL): 51.2 inches a year, 11.8 less than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 89°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63 | 40 | 4.8 | 7 |
| Feb | 67 | 43 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Mar | 72 | 49 | 5.3 | 6 |
| Apr | 78 | 54 | 4.5 | 5 |
| May | 85 | 62 | 3.3 | 5 |
| Jun | 88 | 69 | 6.3 | 11 |
| Jul | 89 | 72 | 8.2 | 13 |
| Aug | 89 | 72 | 7.9 | 13 |
| Sep | 86 | 68 | 6.6 | 9 |
| Oct | 80 | 58 | 3.2 | 4 |
| Nov | 72 | 47 | 3.8 | 5 |
| Dec | 65 | 42 | 4.2 | 6 |
| Year | 78 | 56 | 63.0 | 90 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Wewahitchka, FL (42 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Bristol
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 93 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Bristol: 78 thunderstorm wind reports, 12 flash floods, 1 flood, 1 heavy rain event and 1 lightning strike. They killed 0 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $2.4 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 81 mph, on June 30, 2015. March has had the most flash floods, 6 of 12. Of the 277 Florida cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 189 have had fewer than Bristol.
July 22, 2020: thunderstorm wind 8 miles from the centre of Bristol — 1 injured, $5,000 damage.
March 26, 2005: thunderstorm wind 8 miles from the centre of Bristol — $1.0 million damage.
September 16, 2020: flash flood 7 miles from the centre of Bristol — $1.0 million damage.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Liberty County, which includes Bristol, has been named in 42 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1985, 25 of them major disasters (by incident: 22 hurricanes, 8 severe storms, 5 tropical storms, 3 fires). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 28, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Liberty County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes and lightning; Relatively Low for tornadoes; Very Low for hail, inland flooding, coastal flooding, strong wind and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $4.8 million a year, the 67th highest of 67 Florida counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $2.2 million (47%), is from hurricanes.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Bristol
- Blountstown, FL7 mi
- Altha, FL17 mi
- Grand Ridge, FL24 mi
- Chattahoochee, FL24 mi
- Quincy, FL25 mi
- Sneads, FL26 mi
- Wewahitchka, FL26 mi
- Fountain, FL28 mi
- Alford, FL31 mi
- Marianna, FL31 mi
- Midway, FL32 mi
- Youngstown, FL33 mi
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