Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 21 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
photo by Steve VanGunda
Silver Street continues to be blocked due to high water from the flooding Mississippi River. Access to the now closed Isle of Capri casino is now completely flooded.
Mississippi River reaches its crest
Published Tuesday, April 22, 2008
NATCHEZ — The Mississippi River has begun its slow and steady creep downward, but it’s not through being nasty just yet.
While the Isle of Capri and Magnolia Grill sat void of customers Under-the-Hill and the Vidalia Riverfront was roped off to sightseers, the muddy waters reached their highest level in decades Monday.
And though it wasn’t quite the expected 57-foot crest, it was darn close, according to National Weather Service reports.
At approximately 6 p.m. Monday the river stood at 56.97 feet, a crest height second only to the 58.04 feet flood of 1937.
Video
Aerial view of Natchez Under the Hill during the cresting of the Mississippi River, April 22, 2008. Watch »
The river is expected to drop by less than a tenth of a foot each day this week. By Friday it will likely have truly crested, a spokesman at the National Weather Service said.
In the meantime, the river is unrelenting, attacking shores, homes and businesses — particularly those on Silver Street.
Pat McDaniel, owner of Magnolia Grill, said being closed down for an extended period of time will have a large financial repercussions.
“That’s going to have a big impact,” McDaniel said. “When (business) stops but everything else goes on, expenses keep incurring.”
Video
Aerial view of Louisiana riverfront during the cresting of the Mississippi River, April 22, 2008. Watch »
This is not the first time the restaurant had to shut down operations because of flooding.
In 1997, the restaurant closed when the city blocked off Silver Street.
This year, the restaurant is facing a more unique problem.
The river is backing up the sewer lines making it impossible for the restaurant to use its plumbing.
City Engineer David Gardner said it’s like a big holding tank that’s full.
Video
Aerial view of Old River during the cresting of the Mississippi River, April 22, 2008. Watch »
McDaniel said the tank needs to have waste removed from it before they can start using their restrooms again.
He said that as soon as that happens, the restaurant can reopen.
“Once the city turns the pump on, we can be open in a couple of hours,” he said.
Of course, the water is covering all access points so the river must recede in order for them to pump out the waste.
But even when the doors open there may not necessarily mean there will be food to be served, McDaniel said.
Video
Aerial view of river and surrounding areas north of Natchez during the cresting of the Mississippi River, April 22, 2008. Watch »
No food deliveries are coming to Magnolia Grill right now, McDaniel said; it would be a waste, since they do not know when they will reopen.
Under-the-Hill Saloon evaded closing down by putting a port-a-potty outside its front door.
Andre Farish, owner of the saloon, said there wasn’t enough room for two port-a-pottys.
“We are unisex,” he said.
Video
Aerial view of Homochitto River during the cresting of the Mississippi River, April 22, 2008. Watch »
He said he never gave any thought to closing the saloon.
“Closing is just not an option,” he said. “With the boats docking, there’s just too much going on and the show must go on.”
“We’re rolling with the tide.”
As far as business for the saloon, Farish said he hasn’t seen it slack up too much since Silver Street closed.
“Nothing draws a crowd like a disaster and things are working OK,” Farish said.
Video
Aerial view of Giles Island during the cresting of the Mississippi River, April 22, 2008. Watch »
In the meantime, the Isle of Capri casino has been closed since April 13, over a full week.
According to the Isle of Capri Corporate Web site’s annual report, in 2006 the Isle of Capri Natchez grossed $43.3 million in revenue.
Divide that number by 12 months and the casino likely generates approximately $3.6 million monthly. If the boat stays closed for three more weeks the loss would likely be in the $3 million ballpark.
No one with the Isle could be reached for comment Monday.
The doors for Magnolia Grill and the casino will remain shut and a port-a-potty will remain on the porch of Under-the-Hill Saloon until the water recedes.
Gardner said the closed businesses likely won’t be able to reopen until the water gets back down to 55.5 feet on the gauge.
“Once it goes to 55.5 and falling, then we can take a look at getting everything back to normal,” he said.
When the level is 55.5 the city can reopen D.A. Biglane Street and the Isle of Capri.
“The river’s got to get down enough to where their ramps aren’t underwater,” Gardner said.
Gardner said the situation will be reassessed next week and he expects Magnolia Grill to be closed until then.
“The river is the one that’s dictating this thing,” he said.
Comments
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow 3.6 millions dollars a month...Wow is all i can say there...
At least the river is now falling that is good news...
Posted by justwatchingitall (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally good news about the river.
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's hope there is no wash-out under the road that will barely be visible at 55.5 feet. It will have to be a lot lower than that to inspect the sides of the roads for possible damage. Remember the loess soil. At times of high water and also at times of drought, the loess likes to do its dropping off thing. The current is super high and it comes right at Natchez after it comes around the bend. You will not see the same kind of damage on the Vidalia side. Just praise the Lord, the soaking spring rains have fallen above us and not on us. That would have really compounded the problems.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 4:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The casino doesn't generate 43 million dollars a year, it collects 43 million dollars a year to send to Las Vegas after splitting with Natchez and PACs. The only way it could generate 43 million a year would be if it had a printing press like the one in the Treasury Department. The flood has a hidden blessing, the casino's tax on stupidity is currently uncollectable.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on April 22, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Giles Island video does not work: http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/videos/20...
Posted by bhillyer (Ben Hillyer) on April 22, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Gary. The video is now fixed.
Posted by triscuit (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Ben Hillyer for the videos. I'd been hoping for some aerial views of the flooding.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How has the fishing been during the highwaters? I know that under normal circumstances, when the water gets high, the catfishing is much better. Has anyone caught some huge catfish or other fish during all of this highwater?
Please let us know.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
redusmfan I don't know about the catfish but the white perch have been eating my butterbeans up. This is quite a change from when the river goes down to 8 feet and you have to dust a blue cat for fleas before you fry him up.
Posted by jack (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben how did you get all these great pictures. You really got some good ones and we would never be able to see anything like this if it wasn't for the democrat Maybe you should do a book on the high water this year since it is a record thanks again
Posted by chazbear28 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The trot lines out at ChurchHill have been doing great! More than an ice chest full at a time.
Posted by advanced_hominid (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
EnKiKur, I like what you said about the casino's profits. And although I don't have facts about where the money always goes, I do enjoy hearing that the casino's regular customers from this region will now have no choice but to spend their money on more sensible recreation or perhaps on some tangible goods. During this time, people might also have an opportunity to try the unthinkable... saving some money! It must be hard for those who normally work on the boat, but then again maybe those people would find it more rewarding if they worked in an industry that actually contributed something substantive to society. What does the boat produce for us in the grand scheme of things? People of Natchez: stop supporting that Mickey Mouse boat for adults. It gives back nothing to our community except table scraps and mocks our heritage with a phony, make-believe riverboat. I wish it would float away forever. Toot toot!
Posted by cjc3 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, advanced_hominid, can you tell me where this industry would be found here? The last time I checked, there weren't that many jobs here that I, as a divorced parent, could support a family! Working for the casino doesn't make any of us less of a person. We don't take anything from anyone! We can't take what your'e not willing to give. The casino is for entertainment. If someone is losing all to it, there is help and we give that information right there on the casino! Try not to judge people so poorly.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beautiful videos. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on April 22, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Have any of the TV news stations asked to borrow the videos of the flood?
Posted by advanced_hominid (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear cjc3, even if jobs are scarce, that doesn’t justify working for the casino, which rips people off who also have limited funds and children to take care of. I’m not suggesting you are “less of person” because you work on the boat. My point was that the gambling industry is not about wholesome entertainment, and it does more harm than good. Everywhere you look, people generally have disdain for gambling. Casinos are always relegated to peculiar locations. The following places for example: in the middle of the desert (Las Vegas); in New Jersey (the boring next-door neighbor of New York); floating in water on the periphery of civilization (Natchez and Biloxi); at Monaco/Monte Carlo (a separate nation just for gambling); and in desperately poor areas such as Indian Reservations. If gambling is so harmless and respectable, why does the Pile of Debris Casino hide beneath the Natchez bluffs, amidst the ghosts of 19th Century card sharks?
Posted by observer (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 4:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ben, this morning only the first video works. I particularly wanted to see the north of Natchez one that might show the Roth Hill site underwater. This is the place that will impact the area most negatively with the enormous amount of traffic going up and down that fragile hill to the planned casino and so called park in the flood plain.
I hope the 2008 flood will give the Lane people, and others involved in that project, pause. They may say that this doesn't happen often, but of course they will have a 100 year lease so it can happen many times to them. Old Man River has a mind of his own and I wouldn't bet a plug nickle - much less millions - that the whole chunk of land wouldn't just cave off and end up in New Orleans like its predecessors.
Posted by cjc3 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
advanced_hominid.......... I admit, casinos are not 'wholesome' entertainment. I guess they would be ranking with bars, strip clubs, etc, but it is for adults only! I'm not saying I enjoy seeing people lose their money, but at the same time, it is a gamble. You have to know the risks. No one is forced to go there. Casinos don't take money from people by force. It's a business and they are there to make money, just like every other business. They are regulated by the gaming commission. There is no cheating or robbing going on. You buy the entertainment. You win or you lose! There are rehabs for compulsive gamblers just as there are for alcholics or drug addicts. The casino doesn't make you be addicted.... But they will set you up with people who can help if you are. Arguing about this isn't going to change anything, I guess! I do hope you think about what I've said?? Have a good day!
Posted by advanced_hominid (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right. Nothing will change if people continue to listen to the casino's defensive PR language which you just regurgitated for us. And by the way, my opinions are not thoughtless, as I think you are suggesting. Since I am not involved in the casino business, my view is more detached and objective than yours and you are mistaking that for some lack of compassion on my part. Admit it... the casino takes advantage of people, especially poor people who dream of becoming rich. You call the casino "entertainment" which people simply choose. Well, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, people somehow found some money and chose to go to the movies. Watching Judy Garland or the Marx Brothers allowed people to escape the real world of poverty and depression. Nowadays, there are DVDs of Hollywood's Golden Age for you and your kids to enjoy. Now "that's entertainment!" In 70 years, what will the gambling boat be but an empty vessel of dreams washed down the river. This message was brought to you by Advanced Hominid. Peace.
Posted by cjc3 (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not disagreeing with all that you are saying. Casinos can be bad, for some. I see people staying all day and night (I wonder where their children are) They won't eat or even get a change of clothes......... this is sad! These individuals need help. That's the downside. Not all are like this! Some actually come, spend what they intended and they leave. That's the part I call 'entertainment'. You talk of earlier times. I would love for times to be like they were in the 'good ole days', but times have changed and the world is moving in a different direction. I don't like a lot of the changes but I have to survive! I'm one person and certainly can't control anyone. I do not gamble myself. I see the outcome of gambling every day and I will not burn my money that way. But at the same time, I don't look down on people that do. It's their choice! I don't think you are a bad person either. You have your opinion and I respect that. Just don't wish the casino would sink.............. I have children to raise!! :-)
Posted by Dd (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
redusmfan-I know the catfishing on the Old river is excellent right now...I have seen a few people catch 20 lb +
Giving it stays up a couple more weeks and falls slowly the perch fishing should be great(that's what I prefer)
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)