How Likely Is a Tornado in Ravalli County, MT?
How likely is a tornado in Ravalli County, MT?
Ravalli County has recorded 3 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 25.6 years - our Minimal band. Put another way: Ravalli County sees more tornado activity than 12% of US counties. Within Montana alone, Ravalli County ranks 35 of 56 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
2 weak and 1 significant tornadoes make up Ravalli County's 3-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Ravalli 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
A direct hit is not required for Ravalli County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Montana 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 Ravalli County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 2,391 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. Ravalli County has about 48,187 residents.