How Likely Is a Tornado in Chemung County, NY?
Chemung County's tornado history, by the numbers
Chemung County has recorded 6 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 12.7 years - our Minimal band. Put another way: Chemung County sees more tornado activity than 20% of US counties. Within New York alone, Chemung County ranks 37 of 62 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
4 weak and 2 significant tornadoes make up Chemung County's 6-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Chemung County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. New York 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 New York this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Chemung County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across New York 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 Chemung County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 407 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. Chemung County has about 81,115 residents.