The information in this FAQ is based on the Branson Tourism Center’s local Branson experience in answering questions and dealing with the constantly evolving situation since the tornado hit during the early morning hours of February 29, 2012. It is current as of March 8, 2012 and any changes after that date, will be dated and added after the question to which the change pertains. Please feel free to call the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550 for additional information.

1. If I came to Branson would I expect to see blocks of destroyed buildings like there were in the Joplin? No. Joplin was hit by a multiple vortex EF-5 tornado with winds between 200 and 322 mile per hour which killed 160, injured more than 990 and caused a wide swath of destruction while it stayed on the ground as it tracked through. The damage caused by the Branson Tornado is limited to the specific locations where it touched down as it stayed in the air for most of its track while going through Branson.

2. Is Branson really open for Business? Yes, the vast majority of all Branson businesses, not just its tourism related businesses, were not damaged by the tornado.
https://www.bransontourismcenter.com/info/2012/02/29/tornado-has-minimal-impact-on-branson-entertainment/

3. What about the theatres that were damaged? Only three of the theatres on the Branson Strip were damaged severely enough to impact their operation, the Branson Variety Theatre, Americana Theatre and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre and all three are expected to be back in operation within about 45 days. All other Branson Theatres are operating as scheduled and those scheduled to open their 2012 season later in the month or April are expected to open on schedule. For example, two of Branson’s pioneer shows, The Baldknobbers Jamboree, “Branson’s first show,” and Presleys’ Country Jubilee, “the first show on the Branson Strip,” will be joining the many Branson shows already performing as they open their 2012 season this weekend. Click here for a full schedule of Branson shows.

https://www.bransontourismcenter.com/shows

4. Was Silver Dollar City damaged by the tornado? No, the tornado did not damage Silver Dollar City at all. It is scheduled to start its 2012 season on March 15 with its “Family Spring Break Days.”

5. Did the storms impact on Table Rock Lake or its activities? Although there was some damage in the Kimberling City area, located the other side of the lake from Branson, there was no damage effecting any recreational or other use of Table Rock Lake in the Branson/Indian Point area and Table Rock Lake is ready to offer Branson guests its full spectrum of water recreational activities. In addition, the Showboat Branson Belle, State Park Marina, State Park Camp Ground, Moonshine Beach and the Dewey Visitors Center were not impacted by the tornado.

6. What was the tornado’s impact on lodging? We saw horrendous pictures of the Hilton and other lodging properties that were damaged. Although, the tornado did damage a few of Branson’s lodging facilities, it has not “substantially affected Branson’s lodging capacity, and the vast majority of lodging properties are open for business as usual.” On a daily basis, Branson has over 18,000 rooms of every type and price range and can accommodate in excess of 60,000 guests. The Hilton, which was featured in the media coverage of the tornado, took a direct hit when the storm was at its highest, and is expected to reopen within less than 100 days.

7. Was the Branson Convention Center damaged? Yes, among other things it received glass and roof damage. It is estimated that it will be operational within 30 to 60 days. In the interim, at the option of the event’s sponsors, and subject to availability, events that were scheduled in the Branson Convention Center are being relocated to Chateau on the Lake or other suitable locations, which sustained no damage.

8. How about the shopping? We heard that Branson Landing sustained major damage. All of Branson Landing, including all its shops, restaurants and famed Water and Fire Fountain is open. Even though its anchor stores, Belks and Bass Pro Shops were never closed, its promenade area was closed for a couple of days to clean up debris and glass from the minor damage it received and had blown in from elsewhere. The shops of historic downtown Branson, including its biggest attraction, the famed “Dicks 5 & 10,” as well as Tanger Mall, The Shoppes at Branson Meadows, IMAX Complex, Grand Village Shoppes and the vast majority of the specialty shops that Branson is noted for are all open and ready to provide that great shopping experience for which Branson is noted.

9. Are most of Branson’s restaurants open? Although the storm did damage a few restaurants, the vast majority of Branson’s restaurants were not damaged and visitors to Branson will have absolutely no problem finding  just about any food they want to eat.

10. If you were me, knowing what you know, would you bring your family to Branson for a vacation this summer? In a heartbeat. In 1975 I was you and in 1986 I moved to Branson. It is with all honesty that I can answer the question so empathically in the positive.

11. Describe the Tornado that hit Branson? It was an EF-1 and EF-2 tornado, originating just west of Kimberling City, Missouri at approximately 1:15 a.m. on February 29, 2012. It traveled east for approximately 22 miles before dropping out of the EF1 classification in the vicinity of Kissee Mills, Missouri, approximately 19 minutes later. It was estimated to be about 400 yards wide, traveled at speeds of between 60-70 miles per hour, had wind speeds of between 85 and 135 miles per hour and tracked through Branson from the west roughly paralleling State Route 76, the famed “Branson Strip before it entered downtown town Branson and exited to the east over the top of Mount Branson.

12. Why do you describe it as an EF-1 and EF-2 tornado? Isn’t it one or the other? It is described that way because the official track of the tornado, named, “The Kimberling City – Branson – Kissee Mills Tornado” by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Springfield, Missouri, shows that it fluctuated between an EF-1, with winds between 86 and 110 miles per hour and an EF-2, with winds between 111 and 135 miles per hour, at different spots as it hit Branson.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=event_2012feb29_tornadotracks

13. The media coverage gave the impression that Branson was destroyed. How extensive was the loss of life and damage? First and most important of all, there was no loss of life and relatively few injuries. As impossible as it might seem, based on the media reporting of the tornado, the vast majority of the property in Branson, located 600 within yards of the center of the path that the tornado traveled, was not seriously damaged, including the vast majority of Branson’s theatres, businesses, residences, attractions, shopping, lodging, infrastructure and its historic downtown district.

14. How could that be if the tornado’s path was basically down the “Branson Strip” and through the downtown? The blessing was that, as the tornado traveled through Branson, it touched down with seeming surgical precision, in relatively few spots. Unfortunately, for the property located where it did touchdown, there was damage, some of it severe, but overall the vast majority of the property in Branson escaped unscathed.

With the exception of a few shows that may or may not be open by the time you visit Branson, everything that Branson is famous for from Silver Dollar City to Branson Landing, attractions, live shows and entertainment, shopping, natural beauty, lakes, and everything else that makes Branson such a special place is ready to provide you and your family the same wonderful vacation experience it has been providing for decades.

One of the miracles of the tornado was that, in addition to no loss of life, it damaged as little of Branson as it did thus providing it with the means to “heal itself” while providing millions with fun, relaxation, entertainment and excitement that will give them and their families a wonderful vacation and memories that will last a lifetime.

Interestingly, even as this is being written on the morning of March 7, an estimated 16,000 to 20,000 people are enjoying all that Branson has to offer in connection with attending the 21st NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Championships being conducted at the College of the Ozarks through March 13.

Picture of Dixie Stampede, located not 150 feet from the Dick Clark ' American Bandstand Theatre, which, like the vast majority of Branson's tourist related businesses, was left virtually unscathed by the tornado.

Leap Year Day 2012 is not a day most in Branson will ever forget, as an EF-2 Tornado seemingly hop skipped along through Branson traveling west to east down the famed “Branson Strip,” Highway 76. Almost with surgical precision it hit certain properties and missed others, damaged some more than others and moved on without having caused any fatalities or damaging the vast majority of Branson’s entertainment infrastructure.

National media coverage to the contrary, the reality is that Branson, although hit just two short day ago by a tornado, is ready to provide its visitors with the same great vacation and entertainment experience for which it is known. That might be hard for some to believe based on the “disaster biased reporting” they have been bombarded with this week by national and regional news coverage of the event.

As they filled the airways with pictures showing damaged theatres and properties, they completely ignored another reality of what happened. Unlike in Joplin and other areas hit by tornadoes and the picture of complete devastation they were trying to “paint,” the tornado that hit Branson did not wipe out a wide swath of everything in its path, but rather, almost with surgical precision, hit one spot and jumped on to the next as it moved through Branson leaving everything in between unscathed. The result, although devastating to those properties it hit, is that the vast majority of Branson’s businesses, shows, attractions, shopping and other activities were not damaged by the tornado.

The day after Branson's Leap Day tornado, the Clay Cooper Theatre is still ready to open on schedule.

The “disaster mentality” biased reporting of the national and regional media chose to emphasize a relative small part of the reality of what happened and is happening. As they showered the nation with pictures of damaged theatres, such as “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre,” they failed to report on the reality that just across the street was “Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede,” which, like the vast majority of Branson’s theatres, attractions and entertainment infrastructure was not damaged. As they reported on a “Branson Strip” that was, at the moment,  closed to traffic and littered with windblown debris and utility poles, they failed to report that it was expected to be clear and open to traffic the next day.

As this is being written, the Branson Strip is open, as are the vast majority of Branson’s shows, attractions, shopping and other activities, to receive visitors and provide them with the same great entertainment experience it always has. Steve Presley of Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Branson’s first show on the Branson Strip said, “Opening our 46th season in the same location on Hwy 76 just became a little more special with this week’s tornado. While offering our prayers and sympathies to those impacted by the tornado, we are thankful that our theater received no damage and we will be opening right on schedule next Friday March 9th at 8 pm.”

Presley’s sentiment and what is happening at his theatre is exactly what is happening all around Branson. While praying and caring about those who were impacted by the tornado, Branson is preparing to do the one thing it does best; providing the same unique, fun filled and exciting vacation experience it always has as it and enabling its guests to “Experience memories that will last a life time.”

Note: For continuous updates and information relating to the status of Branson after the tornado, click here.

This picture of Dixie Stampede, taken the afternoon of March 2, as is the case with the vast majority of Branson's theatres and attractions, shows no indication of any damage from the tornado that passed through Branson earlier this week.

CURRENT BRANSON TORNADO INFORMATION (Timeline starts with most current information at the top. For additional information please contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550, through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.Com or on Facebook at facebook.com/bransontourismcenter.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 5, 4:00 p.m.) The Veteran’s Memorial Museum – It has been reported in various news outlets that 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.”

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 5, 10:00 a.m.) Entire Branson Strip from Highway 65 to western end is reopened.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 4, 10:00 a.m.) Tornado has no impact on the 21st NAIA Division II Men’s National Basket Ball Tournament taking  place in Branson this week at the College of the Ozarks starting with their Opening Ceremony at Dixie Stampede on Tuesday, March 6. The tournament itself runs from March 7 through March 13 and is expected to draw 16,000 to 20,000 people to Branson during the week.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 3, Noon) Wal-Mart on Highway 76 is reopens except for the “Tire and Lube” service area located at the east end of the building.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 3, 8:00 a.m.) The Branson Convention Center and Hilton Convention Center Hotel are closed, but expected to reopen within 100 days according to Bill Tirone, Assistant General Manager of the Branson Convention Center Hotel. In the meantime, Tirone’s staff is rescheduling events at other Branson facilities and finding other accommodations for guests scheduled to stay at the hotel during its rehabilitation.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 2, 6:00 p.m.) Controlled Access to Certain Portions of Highway 76 after 11:00 p.m. The City of Branson Police Department will allow limited pedestrian and vehicular access to Highway 76 tonight between the hours of 11:00 pm to 6:00 am.  This limited access area will range along Highway 76 between Roark Valley Road and Highway 165. This limitation is being made for the safety and security of properties affected during the tornado event.  A similar restriction was in place over the last two nights, and Branson Police are pleased to report no major incidents occurring.  Visitors will be able to get to and from the shows playing this evening, and to and from their hotels and restaurants.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 2, 2012, 12:30 p.m.) – New article added about the state of Branson after the tornado. Click here to view it.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 2, 11:00 a.m.) Branson Landing reopens. Tammy Scholten, Director of Marketing for the Branson Landing advises that starting today, Branson Landing will be open regular business hours. Retailers on the north end of Branson Landing from Belk to Town Square and retailers on the south end of Branson Landing from Bass Pro Shops to Famous Dave’s will be accessible through their normal mall entrances.  Retailers receiving the heaviest damage between Famous Dave’s and Town Square will be opening as they are ready over the next few days. The Branson Landing fountains will begin their hourly performances at Noon today.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 1, 2012, 4:30 p.m.) – Branson Strip Reopening – Thanks to the “heroics” of everyone involved the famed “Branson Strip,”  Highway 76, is now reopened to traffic.

Taken in the early afternoon on February 29, like the majority of Branson's Theatres, this picuture shows that the Clay Cooper Theatre was not damaged by the tornado.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 1, 2012, 4:30 p.m.) Shows and Attractions – Although the vast majority of Branson’s theatres  and attractions were not damaged by the tornado, the following did receive damage and are listed alphabetically below along with their current status:

SHOWS

Baldknobbers Jamboree –  opening night is postponed until 8:00 p.m. Mar. 8
Americana Theatre – Closed pending repairs.
Branson Variety Theater – Closed pending repairs.
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre – Closed for repairs
Hot Hits Theatre –  Closed pending repairs*
Icon Theatre – General Manager Barrie Cunningham, said that the minor damage the theatre received will not affect the theatre’s scheduled opening on March 22.
Owens Theatre – Closed pending repairs*

*Located in historic downtown Branson

ATTRACTIONS

Adventure Helicopter Tours – Closed pending repairs
Branson Auto Museum – Closed pending repairs.
Branson Veterans Museum – Closed pending repairs
Dinosaur Museum – Closed pending repairs
The Track #4 Location for the Track Family Fun Parks – Closed pending repairs.
Lost Treasure Mini Golf – Closed pending repairs

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo. (March 1, 2012, 4:30 p.m.) Branson Landing – Tammy Scholten, Director of Marketing for the Branson Landing advises that “Branson Landing has made significant progress in the clean-up of the promenade from the high winds/tornado that swept through Branson on February 29, 2012.  In an effort to safely continue the clean-up today, Thursday, March 1st, Branson Landing will remain closed.

“Keeping Branson Landing closed one more day will allow us to expedite the contractor work that needs to continue so we can return the Landing to a clean, safe and secure shopping center for our shoppers,” said David Ayer, General Manager.  Bass Pro Shops and Belk are open for business today and it is anticipated that the majority of retailers and restaurants will be open for business tomorrow morning, Friday, March 2, 2012.”

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo.(Mar. 1, 2012 6:30 a.m.) Tammy Scholten, Director of Marketing for the Branson Landing advises that Branson Landing’s two main anchors. Belks and Bass Pro Shops remain open. The restaurants and stores within the Promenade are closed for safety reasons while glass and other debris is being cleaned up and some windows replace and, although there is no specific date, should reopen shortly.

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo.(Feb. 29, 2012 10:00 p.m.) A spokesperson for the city of Branson said the tornado has had no impact on the city’s Lakeside RV park and it remains open and ready for business.

The Branson Variety Theatre was one of the few theaters that suffered damage during the tornado...

UPDATE: BRANSON, Mo.(Feb. 29, 2012 5:00 p.m.) Just got off the phone with Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley. She said that she was so grateful for the support shown to Branson by so many. When asked when the Branson Strip would reopen she said that the western end was never closed and that crews are working hard installing poles and the other infrastructure necessary to completely restore power and expects that the closed portion will be reopened sometime tomorrow.

BRANSON, Mo (Feb 29, 2012, 1:00 p.m.) February 29 turned out to be more than simply the day that makes 2012 Leap Year as what is believed to be an EF-2 Tornado hit the Branson area during the early morning hours. Although some businesses, most of which are being featured in the national and other media, were damaged, the vast majority of Branson’s major attractions and shows received minimal if any damage and will be open for business as soon as Thursday.

Thankfully, most Branson businesses were spared damage from the tornado.

During an early morning press conference about the tornado, Branson Mayor, Raeanne Presley, while acknowledging the tornado’s damage, stressed what a blessing it was that there were only minor injuries and that there were no fatalities. She also pointed out that the vast majority of Branson’s major attractions, shows and other activities that the millions of visitors coming to Branson every year enjoy, were not damaged by the storm and will be ready to entertain Branson visitors as soon as Thursday.

The primary emphasis is on getting the power restored and opening those portions of the Branson Strip that are temporarily closed for clean up and the restoration of power. Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center (BTC) said, “We have been in contact with most of the major shows, attractions, and other Branson activities and they indicate as soon as power and access is restored they are ready to open.

Lisa Rau, the Director of Public Relations for Silver Dollar City, Branson largest and most popular attraction, the 1880s styled them park Silver Dollar City said there was no damage. She said that they are eagerly looking forward to their opening on March 15. She also pointed out that the Show Boat Branson Belle, Ride the Ducks, and White Water will open on schedule as well. Mary Kellogg, the owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction, said there was no damage and would be accepting passengers as soon as power is restored.

Johnson suggests contacting the Branson Tourism Center for further current information by either calling 1-800-785-1550, through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.Com or via Facebook at facebook.com/bransontourismcenter.