How Likely Is a Tornado in Harney County, OR?
Harney County's tornado history, by the numbers
Harney County has recorded 7 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 10.9 years - our Low band. Put another way: Harney County sees more tornado activity than 21% of US counties. Within Oregon alone, Harney County ranks 8 of 36 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
7 weak and 0 significant tornadoes make up Harney County's 7-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Harney County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Oregon 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 Oregon this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Harney County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Oregon 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 Harney County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 10,134 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. Harney County has about 7,402 residents.