How Likely Is a Tornado in Suffolk city, VA?
Suffolk city's tornado history, by the numbers
Suffolk city has recorded 21 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 3.6 years - our Moderate band. Put another way: Suffolk city sees more tornado activity than 53% of US counties. Within Virginia alone, Suffolk city ranks 4 of 133 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
18 weak and 3 significant tornadoes make up Suffolk city's 21-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Suffolk city's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Virginia 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 Virginia this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Suffolk city to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Virginia 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 Suffolk city's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 399 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. Suffolk city has about 103,105 residents.