How Likely Is a Tornado in Wilson County, TX?
How likely is a tornado in Wilson County, TX?
Wilson County has recorded 19 tornado touches in NOAA's 76-year database, a rate of roughly one every 4 years - our Moderate band. Put another way: Wilson County sees more tornado activity than 49% of US counties. Among 254 Texas counties in this dataset, Wilson County ranks 192 for how often a tornado touches down.
Beyond the frequency band: violent history
17 weak and 2 significant tornadoes make up Wilson County's 19-track record - none violent. NOAA has never logged an EF4 or EF5 crossing this county.
The dollar figure Wilson 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 Wilson 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 Wilson County policy rather than assuming it is included.
What this number is, and is not
One caveat before relying on Wilson County's number: it is county-wide, and it covers about 804 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. Wilson County has about 55,415 residents.