Branson Auto Museum Damaged by Tornado Yet Set to Rebuild

Tornados don’t discriminate when it comes to what they damage. Unfortunately many communities across the country have already found that out in the first couple months of 2012. While Branson, Missouri was one of the communities faced with destruction from a tornado at the end of February, the community is coming together to get businesses back up and running and residents on their feet again.

Because of the severity of damage to some areas, some businesses are still closed. Among them is the Branson Auto Museum. Hit rather hard by 130-mph winds, the museum ended up losing its roof, but as we found out from Autoblog, plans to rebuild and reopen are in the works.

The Branson Auto Museum was opened back in 2009 and is one of the communities newest attractions. The museum has a collection of over 100 vehicles, giving the some 8 million annual visitors to Branson plenty of classics, hot rods and muscle cars to enjoy.

'76 Lincoln Batmobile in the Branson Auto Museum inventory Image: Branson Auto Museum

The museum had also recently been adding more vintage farm equipment to their inventory, in addition to maintaining many consignments from private owners.

Unfortunately being located on the famous Branson “Strip” in the old Engler Block mall, the museum was in one of the hardest hit areas by the tornado that struck Branson on February 29th.

In addition to the roof being ripped off the building, the museum also had damages to at least seven of their cars.

The Branson Auto Museum was one of 218 properties damaged in the Leap Day tornado.

Of those, 147 were commercial properties which sustained minor to major damage as determined by FEMA. Luckily, the entertainment-oriented Missouri community did not have any fatalities due to the storm and only a few injuries were reported.

Although many properties were damaged in Branson, cleanup and repairs started immediately in order to prepare for the community’s peak tourist season that started with the week-long NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament on March 7th. Many businesses that were undamaged opened the day after the storm hit and many of the lesser damaged properties and attractions are back in full swing.

While the damage to the Branson Auto Museum was devastating, plans to rebuild and reopen in the same location are underway. Although the museum won’t be opening for at least a few months, we’re glad that it won’t be shut down permanently.

'37 Ford Wild Rod Sedan from the Branson Auto Museum inventory

About the author

Lindsey Fisher

Lindsey is a freelance writer and lover of anything with a rumble. Hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles - she's owned and driven it all. When she's not busy writing about them, she's out in her garage wrenching away. Who doesn't love a tech-savy gal that knows her way around a garage?
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