How Likely Is a Tornado in Florence County, WI?
How likely is a tornado in Florence County, WI?
Florence County has recorded 4 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 18.9 years - our Minimal band. Put another way: Florence County sees more tornado activity than 13% of US counties. Within Wisconsin alone, Florence County ranks 72 of 72 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
3 weak and 1 significant tornadoes make up Florence County's 4-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Florence County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Florence County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Wisconsin 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 Florence County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 488 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. Florence County has about 4,673 residents.