May
11
2011
By Webster Franklin on Wednesday May 11, 2011
The Mississippi River reached its crest on the Memphis river gauge on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 47.8 feet. This is the second highest reading of the river’s level matched only by the 48.7-foot crest on February 10, 1937 and well above the great flood of 1927 that reached a level of 45.8 feet on April 23, 1927.
While these are challenging times for everyone affected by the wrath of the Mississippi floodwaters, all of us in Tunica are happy to report that our goal of keeping our residents, visitors and employees safe over the past few weeks has been accomplished. On behalf of everyone within the Tunica destination, we would like to thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time.
Water levels are expected to remain at record high flood levels for the next 5 to 7 days. Once safe for our area emergency management personnel, casino workers and construction crews to enter the flooded areas, the clean up and re-opening process of our area’s 9 casino resort properties will begin.
We ask for your patience over the next few days and weeks as we are uncertain of the complete damage sustained by our area’s infrastructure and the physical property of each casino. Officials fully expect that as the Mississippi Gaming Commission allowed for the staggered closing of our properties that they will again allow for a staggered reopening of properties as they become both safe and ready to accept visitors.
Until then, we ask that you remember that all of Tunica is not closed. We are happy to welcome Showfest and the Nike Coach’s Clinic to Tunica this weekend followed by the Memphis in May Triathlon event scheduled for May 22, 2011.
Thanks again for your patience as we begin the process of reopening our casino resort properties. Check back here for updates as to our continued progress.