Eight months after floodwaters tore through its lower level, The Fortress, a recreational venue combining rage rooms, axe throwing, and more, is reopening in stages—debuting with a haunted house event Friday night to mark its long-awaited return. In mid-February, the downstairs of The Fortress filled with roughly six feet of water, destroying bounce houses, batting cages, snack machines, and other equipment.

The flooding occurred during a birthday celebration, and owner Shannon Pace described watching the water rise past the floodwall and seeing interior items begin to float. Pace said her flood insurance had lapsed just weeks before the disaster, leaving the business without coverage at a crucial time. She added that she had weathered Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, yet still found this loss “devastating.” In March, she said children were messaging her, asking, “Ms.

Pace, what are we going to do? When are we going to reopen?” The February flooding was one of several severe storms to hit McDowell County. The floods claimed three lives, including a husband and wife, Donald and Debbie Griffin, as rain-swollen creeks overwhelmed low-lying hollows. In the aftermath, cleanup and relief efforts poured in from across the region.

Faith-based and volunteer groups, including Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, worked out of Reclamation Church in Welch, helping to shovel mud and remove debris. While reports confirmed volunteers from several U.S. states, no verified accounts mentioned international teams. Pace publicly thanked Reclamation Church and local residents for their help, saying their efforts made reopening possible. The Fortress had entered its second year in business when the flood struck and was just beginning to gain traction. The reopening is partial for now, with upstairs activities expected to resume in phases later this year.

McDowell County remains highly vulnerable to flooding, with many residents living in narrow valleys and floodplains. Local officials continue to stress that recovery depends on community cooperation as bridges, roads, and culverts are still being repaired. On Friday evening, The Fortress staff will don costumes and set up jump scares as part of its haunted house reopening. Pace called the event a symbol of resilience. “This is us fighting back,” she said.

The exhibit opens at 6:30 p.m., with tickets available through the venue’s website. Community leaders are encouraging residents to attend—not just to enjoy the scares, but to support a business that embodies McDowell County’s unbreakable spirit.