Posted on 02/29/2012 12:18:25 AM PST by FourPeas
Reports via twitter and storm spotters on WeatherTap that a strong tornado has hit Branson, Missouri. Significant damage reported in populated areas. Damage reported to Capri Inn.
Ooops, forgot to include that around the same time tornado reports were received from Kimberling City, Missouri.
(source stormspotter on WeatherTap)
Prayers for those involved.
from ky3:
At 1:25 a.m., a tornado moved through Branson. People reported roofs damaged, power lines down and large mature trees toppled in downtown Branson and other areas, and other damage, including the strip along Missour 76. One person reported damage and people trapped on Mount Branson, east of downtown Branson across Lake Taneycomo, and in Hollister.
Before that storm got to Branson, it did damage in the Kimberling City area. Five houses are reported to be damaged in the Joe Bald area. Power lines were down. Southern Stone County firefighters were trying to reach damaged areas.
At 1:35, the tornado was reported to be heading toward Powersite Dam east of Forsyth, and damage was reported in that area as the storm headed into Ozark County.
Shortly before 1 a.m., reports started coming into Greene County Emergency Management and law enforcement officials that the storm damaged a trailer park near Fair Grove and injured some people. That information was unconfirmed as of 12:55 a.m.
Also shortly before 1 a.m., Laclede County Emergency Management received reports of a trailer park being damaged near Bennett Spring State Park on the Dallas-Laclede county line. Dallas County Emergency Management had reports of damage south of Buffalo but was having trouble getting emergency responders there because of downed power lines.
That really sucks. Branson has become a serious destination resort town. It could be really bad.
A tornado on the ground was reported west of Branson at 1:15 a.m. in the Kimberling City, Indian Point and Silver Dollar City area. The system headed toward Branson, Hollister, Merriam Woods and Forsyth. Power outages were reported in Branson at 1:20 a.m. and a tornado was reported shortly after that to be moving through the city, causing damage to roofs, power lines and trees.
Reports at Twitter: “It starts at Blue Bayou and goes all the way down the strip”
Keep the reports coming. I can’t sleep due to friend right in that area. Thanks.
Twitter reports at https://twitter.com/#!/Made_Dad
Appears to be valid. Prior tweets report him in that area of MO.
Various eyewitess report Holiday Inn Express and Leisure Country Inn both hit. No casualties or injuries reported (yet?).
Made_Dad’s on-scene photos found at https://yfrog.com/h2z79bej
Praying for your friend.
Tulsa AM Radio KRMG Tweet
BREAKING: Multiple injuries, trapped people, power lines down, cars flipped, gas leak in Branson, after tornado. KRMG has reporter en route.
Blue Bayou Motor Inn & Best Western reportedly destroyed.
Reported that everyone OK at Best Western Inn
How far from Branson is Forsyth? A friend lives there and I can’t help but be concerned.
I’m also concerned about what this system will do in TN when it hits us later today. Our farm was hit by a tornado last April and we’re praying we don’t get another one any time soon.
Prayers sent for any and all who have been caught in this tornado. I understand all too well.
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