Severe weather, including tornadoes, struck much of southwest Missouri late on the afternoon of Monday, January 7th, and through the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 8th, and inflicted considerable damage on the park. The tour road was closed on Tuesday so that debris could be removed and was reopened on Wednesday afternoon. All trails remain closed until further notice. Employees continue to remove debris and hazardous trees and tree limbs from all trails and the picnic area. Several trails are flooded and the Wire Road bridge has tree debris under it with water levels up to the stringers. High winds damaged about 1,000 feet of split rail fence. All park staff members are safe and accounted for.
