Branson welcoming visitors after EF-2 tornado

The "Branson Spirit" is definitely shining though as recovery and rebuilding in Branson is well underway, after the tornado that swept through the Music Mecca on Leap Day.

As Spring Break is culminating across the country, families have begun to arrive into town and finding that most all of the businesses in Branson were undamaged by the storm. Major attractions such as Silver Dollar City, TITANIC Museum Attraction, Mickey Gilley's, Hughes Brothers, RFD-TV The Theatre, IMAX Entertainment Complex, Tanger Outlet Mall, Sight & Sound Theatres, Showboat Branson Belle and numerous other theatres went undamaged.

There are several lodging properties, attractions, restaurants and retail stores that are 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. Those include the Branson Variety Theater, and Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater. The majority of shows will open on schedule or have already opened for the 2012 season.

The Veteran's Memorial Museum has reopened after the storm and sustained no major damage. The plane and sculpture in front of the museum were damaged, but the museum itself is fine.

Merchants in Historic Downtown Branson are doing business as usual, and have been since just hours after the storm. Branson Landing was closed for two days following the tornado, and is now open, as the famous Branson Landing fountains have resumed their scheduled performances. A small number of stores are still closed for repairs.

Repairs have commenced on Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater. After receiving confirmation that the theater suffered no structural damage, dozens of construction workers are making all the needed renovations. "Legends in Concert" will soon announce the resumption date for its 2012 performance schedule.

Branson Scenic Railway opened March 8 after being delayed three days because of damage from the tornado. After outside inspectors inspected the train, it was found to be in good condition to operate safely.

22 of the more than 200 hotels in Branson have sustained damage as a result of the storms, with varying degrees of severity. 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 courses were spared from any damage. All of W 76 Country Boulevard (also known as the world famous "Branson Strip") reopened to traffic on March 1st, and visitors are traveling to and from attractions, shows and restaurants with only infrequent restricted access to certain sections to accommodate utility crews.

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 up to date information, visit www.ExploreBranson.com or call 800-296-0463.