How Likely Is a Tornado in Madison County, MT?
How likely is a tornado in Madison County, MT?
Madison 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: Madison County sees more tornado activity than 8% of US counties. Among 56 Montana counties in this dataset, Madison County ranks 43 for how often a tornado touches down.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
2 weak and 0 significant tornadoes make up Madison County's 2-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Madison County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Montana 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 Montana this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
Tornado outbreaks routinely knock out power across Montana for days, separately from any single house getting hit. A portable battery bank keeps a fridge, phone chargers and a radio running through that gap - cheaper and faster to set up than a generator.
What this number is, and is not
One caveat before relying on Madison County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 3,588 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. Madison County has about 9,753 residents.