Branson tornado recovery moving forward as businesses open

Recovery efforts continue following the touchdown of an EF-2 tornado in Branson, MO in the early morning hours of February 29.  There were no fatalities in the Branson/Lakes area, although several minor injuries and significant property damage occurred.

“We are blessed that no one died due to this tornado, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those families who did lose loved ones as a result of all these recent storms that have struck much of the Midwestern and Southern parts of the US. We’ve been touched by the outpouring of support from around the nation. We forget how many millions of folks we have welcomed to Branson over the years.” said Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley. 

33 moderate or slight injuries have been reported as a result of the storm in Branson. Most of the injuries were cuts and bruises although one more serious injury was reported.

Most of the storm damage to commercial areas is in localized sections of W 76 Country Boulevard and the Branson Convention Center area. Initial estimates are that the convention center will be up and running in 30 to 60 days.  Meetings and conventions that were scheduled for the Branson Convention Center in upcoming weeks are being contacted regarding relocation in the area, many to Chateau on the Lake, which sustained no damage as a result of the storm or The Hilton Promenade, which sustained damage but is still open to guests.

Recovery and rebuilding efforts continue, with many of the affected businesses reopening or scheduled to reopen in the coming days.  “I drove down The Strip, and I’m amazed that so many of the damaged areas look more like a construction zone than a disaster zone.  We’ve still got a ways to go, but the progress made so far to those damaged areas has been remarkable,” says Dean Kruithof, Branson’s City Administrator. 

All of W 76 Country Boulevard (also known as the world famous “Branson Strip”) reopened to traffic on March 1, and visitors are traveling to and from attractions, shows and restaurants with only infrequent restricted access to certain sections to accommodate utility crews. 

The City of Branson has secured the resources of the Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation (SAVE) Coalition to tour the damaged commercial properties in the community. That report will be made available by the City of Branson.

Post storm information and resources for business owners can be found at www.bransonchamber.com/storminfoforbusinessowners.php.

The Community Foundation of Taney County, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, has established the Branson Tornado Relief and Recovery Fund to accept donations to support clean-up and rebuilding efforts following the Leap Day storm.  Donations can be made online at: www.cfozarks.org/donate; or by mail to: Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801. Please note “Branson Tornado Relief and Recovery Fund” in the fund/program box online or on checks.

The American Red Cross: Southern Missouri Region is partnering with other local agencies to provide a “one stop shop” of relief resources to the victims of the Tornado that affected more than 300 residences across multiple counties. This resource center is open to all victims across the Region.  For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: holderbyn@redcross-ozarks.org.

Taney County tornado volunteer efforts to assist area residents with homes damaged by the storm are being managed by AmeriCorps St. Louis.  Representatives are currently working out of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau located at 269 MO Hwy 248. 

Individuals who need assistance may register at the Chamber by calling 417-243-2161, or via email at ACSTLBranson@gmail.com.  Volunteers are welcomed and AmeriCorps is currently collecting information from those who are able to help. Interested individuals can email ACSTLBranson@gmail.com or sign up at www.VolunteerBranson.org.

AmeriCorps is currently in need of work boots, bath towels, toothbrushes, shaving cream, conditioner, feminine products, diapers- sizes, n,1 and 4, baby wipes, toilet paper, garbage bags, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, reusable grocery bags, backpacks, blankets, flashlights, batteries, school supplies.

It has been reported in various news outlets that The Veteran’s Memorial Museum sustained major damage during the storm.  According to June Tillis, the museum director, “We’re A-OK.  The plane and sculpture in front of the museum were damaged, but the museum itself is fine.  Power was restored to the museum this morning and we are welcoming our veterans and other visitors as we have been for more than a decade.”

Branson Landing was closed for two days following the tornado, and is now open.  The famous Branson Landing fountains have resumed their scheduled performances.  There are still a small number of stores that are still closed for repairs, and consumers can visit www.BransonLanding.com to find out more information.

Dick’s 5 & 10 Co-Owner Steve Hartley said merchants in Historic Downtown Branson are taking care of customers in their “usual friendly way,” and have been since just hours after the twister. “We were down a very short period; now we are ready to go. Branson’s spirit has shown what we are made of,” Hartley said.

Plans for Branson’s April 1 Centennial Celebration and Museum opening at 101 Veterans Blvd. are right on schedule according to celebration producer Bogie Bohinc.  

The Emergency Operation Center has been taken down and ongoing coordination of recovery efforts will be moved to Fire Station #1.

Power has been restored to the majority of the affected area, with only a handful of utility customers still without electricity, about a dozen located on The Strip. 

FEMA has completed their assessment of the damage done by the storm. 71 residential properties sustained damage ranging from slightly affected to total damage.  147 commercial properties sustained damage ranging from minor to major. For the complete report please contact FEMA at 800/621-FEMA. 

Major attractions such as Silver Dollar City, TITANIC Museum Attraction, Hughes Brothers Theatre, RFD-TV The Theatre, IMAX Entertainment Complex, Tanger Outlet Mall, Sight & Sound Theatres, Showboat Branson Belle and numerous other theatres, lodging properties, attractions, restaurants and retail stores are undamaged, open as previously scheduled and are welcoming visitors to the Live Music Show Capital of the World.

Only two of the more than 50 theatres in Branson have had to delay their show schedules more than a week or more as a result of the storms. A list of scheduled show opening dates is posted on www.ExploreBranson.com.  The majority of shows will open on schedule or have already opened for the 2012 season. 

Celebrated tribute artist production ‘Legends in Concert’ announced today that repairs have commenced on its home in the Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater.  Restoration plans have been completed, delivery of replacement building materials has begun and dozens of construction workers are in full swing making all the needed renovations, after receiving confirmation that the theater suffered no structural damage. Legends in Concert will soon announce the resumption date for its 2012 performance schedule. For more information please call 417-339-3003 or visit legendsinconcert.com.

22 of the more than 200 hotels in Branson have sustained damage as a result of the storms, with varying degrees of severity.  Estimated opening dates for those affected hotels will be posted on www.ExploreBranson.com.  Branson has more than 18,000 lodging units, and can host up to 60,000 visitors a day.  The storm damage has not substantially affected Branson’s lodging capacity, and the vast majority of lodging properties are open for business as usual.

Branson Area Golf (BAG) courses were spared from any damage during the recent tornado that came through Branson. The courses include three of the top five “Best Courses You Can Play” in Missouri, as rated by Golfweek magazine.

Mayor Raeanne Presley might have said it best when she said, “It is humbling to face the power of a destructive force such as this tornado.  Yet this is exactly the time our community has gathered their strength to rise above daily chores - to volunteer, donate, work long hours in cold and heat. While I am so sad for the loss of property, I am heartened to know our Branson will rise up stronger than ever.”

For up to date information, situation updates, road closures, show schedule changes, affected attractions, restaurants, shops, etc. consumers should visit www.ExploreBranson.com or call 800-296-0463.

Branson, Missouri, nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains, is America’s affordable, wholesome family entertainment capital that emphasizes fun, comfort and the feeling of being right at home. Featuring an array of live theaters and attraction venues and active recreational pursuits, the community embodies essential American values such as patriotism, faith, courage and generosity of spirit in a warm inviting atmosphere that is truly genuine and heartfelt.