How Likely Is a Tornado in Dukes County, MA?
How likely is a tornado in Dukes County, MA?
Dukes County has recorded 2 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 38.5 years - our Minimal band. Put another way: Dukes County sees more tornado activity than 8% of US counties. Within Massachusetts alone, Dukes County ranks 12 of 14 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
0 weak and 2 significant tornadoes make up Dukes County's 2-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Dukes County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Dukes County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Massachusetts 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 Dukes County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 103 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. Dukes County has about 21,061 residents.