Several casinos across the United States have shuttered. They are likely to reopen on Thursday at 6 a.m., or at a time when conditions are deemed safe. This comes after Hurricane Francine made an appearance on the weather forecast radar. The Category 2 hurricane has affected the operations of casino facilities along the US Gulf Coast. It sustained a speed of 100 mph, according to data from the National Hurricane Center, also known as the NHC.
The NHC has predicted that the movement will be from southeastern Louisiana to northward across Mississippi, with it arriving by Thursday or Thursday night.
Casino Closures
Following the NHC’s warning, several casinos have announced that they will remain closed following the issuance of the warning by the NHC. The idea is to keep customers safe in their homes. Most of the casinos are expected to open their doors on Thursday at around 6 am. Others could first examine the situation before considering welcoming guests to their venues. Kinder, La’s Coushatta Casino Resort, said that they were closing the doors to ensure the safety of their customers effective 2 am. Their reopening time may extend to Thursday afternoon or whenever conditions are better.
Silver Slipper Casino Hotel in Bay St. Louis, Miss., has also shuttered its offerings, including table games, Blue Bayou, and the Jubilee Buffet. Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino stated that they were closing the doors, but did not mention a tentative time to reopen them. It is safe to assume that the venue will follow the lead of other market players in terms of reopening for customers.
Casinos in all affected areas have advised their customers to exercise caution and stay safe, adding that they should consider visiting their favorite locations once the hurricane has moved past their respective zones. Warnings from the NHC are likely to come later if Hurricane Francine takes an adverse turn.
Curfews and Other Restrictions
The authorities are undertaking their responsibilities in all the regions that have been designated as danger zones. The implementation of curfews is one of the measures. It has been requested that people remain at their residences and refrain from leaving the premises at all costs. The only exceptions are emergencies, such as medical emergencies or other situations.
Mayor Billy Hewes has imposed a curfew in Gulfport, Mississippi, effective from 6 p.m. on Wednesday. It will tentatively be lifted at 6 am the next day, but chances are that it will be extended if weather conditions don’t improve. Businesses, including restaurants and stores, have been ordered to shut down their operations. In a statement, the mayor declared restrictions on all types of movements, with the exception of emergency personnel.
Curfew in Bay St. Louis and Waveland, per Sun Herald, will commence at 10 p.m. Wednesday and end at 5 a.m. the other day. CNN reports predict floods in New Orleans with rainfall of 4-6 inches. Authorities have canceled flights and issued a flood watch. That said, customers have an option to engage with their favorite casino content. While Hurricane Francine has disrupted casino operations in the region, players can still enjoy their favorite games at online casinos in the USA. Operators like 22 Bet, Bet US, and BC.Game will remain operational during this time.
Conclusion
Hurricane Francine has taken a toll on the operations of US Casino operations. All the venues that are likely to be affected will remain shut from Wednesday 6 pm to Thursday 6 am. The time to reopen or resume operations could be different depending on the weather conditions.
