The Missouri Ozarks are known for some strange weather – snow in May, almost seventy degrees in February, rain when the sun is still shining. But one of the most historic strange weather incidents was undoubtedly the leap year Branson tornado in 2012. This tornado wreaked some serious havoc on Branson – but the community pulled together in the aftermath of the tornado and today, is stronger and better because of it!
On February 29, 2012, a belt of massive thunderstorms, tornadoes and other severe weather, including golf ball sized hail, hit the Midwestern United States. It became know throughout the region as the Leap Year Tornado Outbreak, and had a confirmed 42 tornadoes and caused an estimated $475 million in damage. At 3am Central Standard Time, Branson, Missouri, reported an EF2 tornado that caused severe damage to the town. Several home and businesses were destroyed or sustained major damage before the tornado and the storm moved off towards the Arkansas border, where it would reach a speed of more than 60 miles per hour.
The Branson tornado stayed on the ground for an astonishing 20 miles, and was 400 yards wide with speeds over 120 miles per hour. 7 miles of damage took place along Highway 76, Branson’s main drag that is known around town as The Strip. Five or six of Branson’s popular live music theaters sustained damage in the storm, as did the Branson Convention Center; the Hilton Hotel, a structure attached to the convention center, had multiple windows shattered out from the storm. Part of the Branson landing, the entertainment and shopping complex across the street from The Hilton, also took a hit from the tornado. Other venues, such as Silver Dollar City, were almost untouched by the storm. Luckily, the tornado took place before Branson’s peak season, and the town was still up and running the next day.
City officials and other community members of Branson immediately got to work removing debris and communicating with visitors, especially those who booked their annual vacations in Branson at venues that sustained some damage. Other cities reached out to Branson to offer assistance and support – the city of Branson sent several crews of workers to Joplin after the EF5 tornado that occurred there, and Joplin instantly reciprocated when they heard about the Branson tornado.
Branson was back up and running quickly, and was ready to receive tourists and guests by peak season; today, there is no sign that a major storm went down the middle of The Strip! In fact, there are more attractions, theaters and entertainment venues on Highway 76 than ever. One difference that is apparent from the Branson tornado is that many businesses in town, and in Southwest Missouri as a whole, now have disaster preparedness plans in place to ensure safety for themselves, their staff and their guests.
Branson, Missouri, is a town with an enduring spirit. The Branson tornado only made the town stronger, and Branson continues to grow every year!
