Building designed to look like a earthquake hit.

A building designed to look like it was hit by an earthquake was nearly hit by a tornado.

The tornado came within 40ft of the building, a Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium in Branson, Missouri.

But first time visitors would think the building took a direct hit from the 1,200ft wide tornado which tore through a nine mile stretch of the town.

Manager Gary Daily said: "The building was erected in 1999 to look like it had been hit by an earthquake that hit another part of the state in 1812.

"It's interesting watching people go by. I wish we had a banner that said, 'We're supposed to look like this'."

Your Jewish news also reported that, most people might assume the Odditorium was lucky to avoid the tornado which tore the roof from the motel next door - but there is another theory.

Local man Jake Stillworth said: "I'd say that mighty black tornader seen the Ripley's building and figured it was already fallin' apart so there's no use in hitting it.

  "Looks to me that the weird building done saved itself by the funny architecture."