Casino Closures as Hurricane Francine Approaches Gulf Coast

Several casino properties along the U.S. Gulf Coast temporarily closed on Wednesday as Hurricane Francine, a Category 2 storm, approached the region. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph as of 5 p.m. and was expected to make landfall later that night in southeastern Louisiana. The storm’s effects are projected to continue through Thursday as it moves northward across Mississippi.

 

The Key Things to Remember

• Casino Closures: Multiple Gulf Coast casinos, including Coushatta Casino Resort in Louisiana and Silver Slipper Casino Hotel in Mississippi, have temporarily closed as a safety precaution due to Hurricane Francine. Operations are expected to resume once the storm passes and conditions improve.
• Curfews and Emergency Measures: Cities along the Mississippi coast, including Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, and Waveland, have imposed curfews to ensure public safety during the storm. Businesses have closed, and only emergency personnel are allowed on the streets during the curfew hours.
• Severe Weather Threats: Hurricane Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall, flooding, and tornado threats across multiple states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. New Orleans and the Louisiana coastline face flood warnings, and several flights at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport have been canceled.

 

Casino Closures and Precautions

Among the facilities affected is Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, Louisiana. In a statement, the casino announced it would close temporarily early Wednesday morning as a safety measure. “To ensure the safety of our guests and associates during Hurricane Francine, Coushatta Casino Resort will temporarily close, effective Wednesday … at 2 a.m.,” the resort’s management said. Coushatta is planning to reopen on Thursday at noon or once local conditions are deemed safe.

Mississippi's Gulf Coast casinos have also felt the impact of the storm. The Silver Slipper Casino Hotel, located in Bay St. Louis, closed several amenities on Wednesday, including its table games, buffet, valet service, and gift shop. A full reopening is expected on Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Nearby, the Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino also halted operations temporarily on Wednesday as part of broader safety measures.

Local governments in Mississippi and Louisiana have responded to the approaching storm by implementing curfews and urging businesses to close. In Gulfport, Mississippi, a citywide curfew was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, lasting until 6 a.m. Thursday. Mayor Billy Hewes announced that during the curfew, public movement would be restricted, with only emergency personnel allowed on the streets. Similarly, curfews are in place for Bay St. Louis and Waveland, where residents are required to stay indoors between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 5 a.m. Thursday.

Officials are particularly concerned about flooding, with four to eight inches of rainfall expected in parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans. A flood watch has been issued for the Louisiana coastline, and a storm surge warning is in effect for Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain. New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport has already seen flight cancellations due to the worsening conditions.

 

Wider Regional Impact

Hurricane Francine’s impact is not limited to the immediate coastline. The storm has triggered tornado warnings in several states, including Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Areas such as Mobile, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Huntsville in Alabama, as well as Tupelo, Mississippi, and Tallahassee, Florida, could experience severe weather related to the hurricane, according to AccuWeather.

As Hurricane Francine nears landfall, emergency services across the Gulf Coast remain on high alert. Businesses, including major casinos, are taking proactive measures to protect staff and visitors, while local officials continue to issue safety warnings. The situation remains fluid as communities brace for the storm's full impact, with more closures and delays possible in the coming hours.