How Likely Is a Tornado in Clearfield County, PA?
Clearfield County, PA: what NOAA's tornado record says
Clearfield County has recorded 8 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 9.5 years - our Low band. Put another way: Clearfield County sees more tornado activity than 25% of US counties. Pennsylvania has 67 counties in this dataset; Clearfield County ranks 54 of them by frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
1 tornado touching Clearfield County reached violent (EF4-5) strength since 1950. That single fact carries more weight for the shelter decision than the county's overall frequency band.
The dollar figure Clearfield County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Clearfield County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Pennsylvania 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 Clearfield County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 1,145 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. Clearfield County has about 78,132 residents.