12 years ago, many residents in the Lakes Region and beyond were picking up the pieces after a F-2 Tornado tore through Stone and Taney Counties.
The tornado touched down near Kimberling City and moved eastward, going right through Branson along West 76 Country Blvd, through the downtown region and Mount Branson before final ending right after going through Powersite.
No deaths were reported with this tornado that was part of a series of tornados that roared through the region during the early morning hours.
According to the National Weather Service recap of the event, numerous reports of severe weather were received during the night, including large hail, high winds, and eight tornadoes. Significant damage was also reported near Pittsburg, Kansas as well as the Missouri communities of Buffalo, Lamar, and Lebanon.
One of the other tornados during the outbreak struck a portion of the Lakes Region northwest of Cassville which resulted in one of the two deaths reported during the outbreak.
While some storms did go through northern Arkansas that morning, the heaviest damage was in southern Missouri.
Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin talked about the Leap Day Tornado during a recent visit to KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program and said the previous year's Joplin Tornado gave area officials valuable insight to the importance of having a coordinated plan in place and that it helped Lakes Area Officials get relief efforts underway after the tornado.
The complete interview Martin can be seen on the "Ozarks Now" Facebook Page.
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