How Likely Is a Tornado in Union County, NM?
Union County, NM: what NOAA's tornado record says
Union County has recorded 46 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 1.7 years - our High band. Put another way: Union County sees more tornado activity than 85% of US counties. Within New Mexico alone, Union County ranks 6 of 33 counties for tornado frequency.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
42 weak and 3 significant tornadoes make up Union County's 46-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Union County's rating leads to
Cost nationally: $2,890-$13,280, about $7,645 typical. New Mexico 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 New Mexico this pass.
What a direct hit isn't required for
Power loss after a tornado outbreak in New Mexico often reaches homes the storm itself never touched. A battery-backup unit covers the outage without the fuel and venting a generator needs.
What this number is, and is not
One caveat before relying on Union County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 3,825 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. Union County has about 3,926 residents.