Tunica River Watch – Update May 2

By Travel Tunica on Monday May 2, 2011

The staggered casino property plan implemented by the Tunica casino industry, in conjunction with Emergency Management officials and the Mississippi Gaming Commission, was completed this morning with the scheduled closing of the three casino properties located at Casino Center (Gold Strike Casino Resort, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel).

The plan, put into effect on Wednesday, April 27, was designed to allow all gaming industry employees and Tunica county visitors to safely leave the unprotected side of the Mississippi River levee system well in advance of the rising water.  The Mississippi Gaming Commission and gaming executives have successfully completed the extensive closure procedures that include the protection of gaming equipment and the removal of all money from each facility.

Officials from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fish and the Department of Homeland Security have arrived in Tunica County to assist local law enforcement in patrolling all access points to the county’s nine casino properties.  Beginning today at 2:00 p.m., only those essential gaming industry personnel along with emergency management officials will be allowed to cross the Mississippi River levee.

Please note that the Veranda and Terrace Hotels at Harrah’s property on the east side of the levee, the Harrah’s Convention Center, the Bellissimo Spa at Harrah’s, Cottonwoods Golf Course, Tunica National Golf & Tennis, and Casino Factory Shoppes are all OPEN and will remain OPEN for business as usual.

As always, the safety of Tunica’s visitors and employees is our primary concern, and we will continue to update you via this site as conditions change or new information becomes available.