How Likely Is a Tornado in Tom Green County, TX?
Tom Green County's tornado history, by the numbers
Tom Green County has recorded 57 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 1.3 years - our High band. Put another way: Tom Green County sees more tornado activity than 91% of US counties. Within Texas alone, Tom Green County ranks 54 of 254 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
1 tornado touching Tom Green County reached violent (EF4-5) strength since 1950. That single fact carries more weight for the shelter decision than the county's overall frequency band.
The dollar figure Tom Green County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. Texas 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 Texas this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
A direct hit is not required for Tom Green County to lose power - outbreak-wide outages across Texas regularly reach homes and businesses well outside the actual tracks. A battery bank covers that gap without a generator's fuel and venting needs.
Wind damage may need its own endorsement
Texas is one of a handful of states where insurers can write wind/hail damage out of a standard homeowners policy - tornado damage may not be fully covered without a separate wind endorsement. Worth confirming directly on a Tom Green County policy rather than assuming it is included.
What this number is, and is not
One caveat before relying on Tom Green County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 1,522 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. Tom Green County has about 120,103 residents.