How Likely Is a Tornado in San Benito County, CA?
San Benito County's tornado history, by the numbers
San Benito 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: San Benito County sees more tornado activity than 9% of US counties. Within California alone, San Benito County ranks 41 of 58 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
1 weak and 1 significant tornadoes make up San Benito County's 2-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure San Benito County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. California 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 California this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for San Benito County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across California 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 San Benito County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 1,389 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. San Benito County has about 69,159 residents.