How Likely Is a Tornado in Marquette County, MI?
How likely is a tornado in Marquette County, MI?
Marquette County has recorded 11 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 6.9 years - our Low band. Put another way: Marquette County sees more tornado activity than 32% of US counties. Within Michigan alone, Marquette County ranks 47 of 83 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
11 weak and 0 significant tornadoes make up Marquette County's 11-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Marquette County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Michigan 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 Michigan this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Marquette County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Michigan 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 Marquette County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 1,809 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. Marquette County has about 67,979 residents.