How Likely Is a Tornado in Ralls County, MO?
Ralls County, MO: what NOAA's tornado record says
Ralls County has recorded 13 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 5.8 years - our Low band. Put another way: Ralls County sees more tornado activity than 36% of US counties. Within Missouri alone, Ralls County ranks 98 of 115 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
9 weak and 4 significant tornadoes make up Ralls County's 13-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Ralls County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Missouri 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 Missouri this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Ralls County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Missouri 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 Ralls County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 470 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. Ralls County has about 10,499 residents.