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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.