How Likely Is a Tornado in Gem County, ID?
Gem County, ID: what NOAA's tornado record says
Gem 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: Gem County sees more tornado activity than 8% of US counties. Idaho has 44 counties in this dataset; Gem County ranks 33 of them by frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
2 weak and 0 significant tornadoes make up Gem County's 2-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Gem County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Idaho 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 Idaho this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Gem County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Idaho 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 Gem County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 560 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. Gem County has about 21,857 residents.