Branson Officials Mostly Pleased with Tornado Response

Branson, Mo., city officials said they were mostly happy with the emergency response to a tornado that hit the tourist city in February.

City officials met on March 8 to assess the response and tally damage.

Police Chief Kent Crutcher said emergency response was mostly positive in the hours after the tornado hit Feb. 29. No one died and there was no looting.

Planning and Zoning Director Jim Lawson said 37 properties had major damage or were destroyed by the storm. Another 41 reported minor to major damage.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the Hilton Branson Convention Center was the hardest hit, with an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million in damage. The center laid off 100 employees on March 7 but hopes to call most of them back.