How Likely Is a Tornado in Amelia County, VA?
How likely is a tornado in Amelia County, VA?
Amelia County has recorded 11 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 6.9 years - our Low band. Put another way: Amelia County sees more tornado activity than 31% of US counties. Among 133 Virginia counties in this dataset, Amelia County ranks 33 for how often a tornado touches down.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
9 weak and 2 significant tornadoes make up Amelia County's 11-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Amelia County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Virginia has no state rebate program confirmed here; FEMA's underlying 75% cost-share exists nationwide, but applying through a state program is what usually makes it real, and none was found for Virginia this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Amelia County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Virginia regularly reach homes and businesses well outside the actual tracks. A battery bank covers that gap without a generator's fuel and venting needs.
What this number is, and is not
One caveat before relying on Amelia County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 355 square miles, so a single touch counts the same as one in a county a fraction of that size. Weaker pre-1990s tornadoes are also documented as undercounted in NOAA's own record. Amelia County has about 13,716 residents.