Flooding conditions have stabilized in the residential and commercial areas along Lake Taneycomo in Branson. Resources have been allocated through the City’s Emergency Operations center for barricading flooded streets and establishing a shelter for residents displaced from their home.
“Tablerock Dam is currently flowing just over 67,000 cubic feet per second from the flood gates and generators,” stated Branson Fire Chief Ted Martin. The lake level as of noon on Tuesday is 932.6 and the Corp of Engineers expects Tablerock to crest at 933.5. “The Corp of Engineers has shared with us as weather conditions improve they expect to reduce releases from the dam and thus improve conditions downstream on Lake Taneycomo to the homes, businesses and streets affected by flooding,” stated Chief Martin.
Flooded streets in the Lakewood Subdivision caused residents from 53 duplexes to evacuate their homes. “The streets in this subdivision are privately owned within the subdivision,” stated Chief Martin. Approximately 120 single family residences from Parnell Drive upstream to Pointe Royale have been affected by water rising in the neighborhoods. “Most of these homes are not accessible due to high water, have water up to the house, water in crawl spaces and some with water in basements.” Several of these areas have had electrical services cut off by Empire District Electric Company to reduce risk and impact to the utility infrastructure.
Several City streets remain closed including Lake Drive, Hawthorn, Sunset Road, and the northern portion of Parnell Drive. These streets have been closed and residents are encouraged to avoid these streets due to high water, some water flow may be swift moving and dangerous.
A shelter continues to operate at the Salvation Army Church located at 1114 Stanley Street. The shelter is being supported by the Red Cross in partnership with the Salvation Army. Residents in the Branson area that have been displaced from their homes due to flooding may use the shelter. The contact for the shelter operations is Salvation Army volunteer Janetta Shoopman at (417) 213-1094.
City facilities have also been impacted by the flood waters. The Branson Community Center is closed and has caused Senior Center activities including meals to not be prepared. The Recycle Center is also closed and residents may use alternative resources including portable recycle trailers located at the Methodist Church and Tantone Recycling. City Parks are closed including Stockstill, Alexander, and Sunset. Several sanitary sewer lift stations are operating on generator power due to high water and the lift station serving the Sunset Park area has been turned off. Utilities crews are pumping waste water and hauling by truck from the affected areas.
The Branson community continues to be open for business. “Most of the flooding affects residential homes with some commercial impacts along the Branson Landing Development,” added Martin. The Branson Landing has a phased program to secure infrastructure as the water rises. All of the businesses at Branson Landing were open for business on Tuesday according to mall management. The affected area is a narrow path along Lake Taneycomo.
Mayor Karen Best complimented the services provided by City staff operating the Emergency Operations Center located at Fire Station #1 and crews working in the field to provide services to the residents. “We have a lot of residents in these homes that have voluntarily evacuated for their safety,” stated Mayor Best. “I’m currently displaced from my home due to high water and am thankful city staff are monitoring flood conditions, communicating with the Corp of Engineers, and doing everything possible to keep our residents and visitors safe.”
City staff will work to keep current road closures and information pertaining to the flooding on the city web site at www.bransonmo.gov. Branson Emergency Management may be contacted at (417) 337-8584 or by emailing [email protected].
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