STATESIDE Stateside


Sharon Harris looks at the aftermath of a natural disaster – and remembers Katrina in 2005


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Reconstruction often takes years. Louisiana and Mississippi certainly


understand those challenges, even when assisted by great corporations like MGM, Boyd Gaming and others along the Gulf Coast


ho could ever imagine that as horrendous as Hurricane Katrina was when it struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast in August 2005, a “male“ hurricane called Harvey


would produce greater destruction 12 years later. We have now – again – witnessed total devastation


The Jersey Shore and New York endured Hurricane


Sandy in 2012, but it falls short compared to Texas. The physical property and infrastructure damage could cost $150-$180 billion, excluding the emotional toll. With 19 statewide casinos, Texas has more than 4,335 slots, plus 83 table games. Galveston, along the Gulf Coast, has six. Harvey aimed at other gaming venues, including riverboat casinos as it headed into Louisiana.


Florida has just confronted a destructive situation with Hurricane Irma. And, again, millions, including numerous friends of mine who are full-time residents or vacation home owners, face personal and commercial pain.


Dozens of casinos,


poker rooms and racetracks may suffer hundreds of millions in damage, regardless of their survival plans. It is too soon to calculate the structural costs and loss of revenues.


However, anyone who doubts the people’s resilience makes a serious mistake. Our “American Spirit”


Image: Satoshi Kina/Adobe Stock 16 SEPTEMBER 2017 I hope my longtime friends and colleagues in those


stricken areas can do the same. These are the businesses that employ people from the communities and patronize the types of local taverns and stores where we earned our living.


No one is fooling themselves. There will be huge economic hits for businesses not only from the storms, but also from lost future revenues and possible staff shortages as people rebuild. It’s hard to convince consumers to gamble, dine out or travel when they face untold home and personal expenses.


always takes over with financial aid and human assistance pouring in.


I come from tough, scrappy people, like many in


the arcade and gaming industries. My sister Linda always says, “We grew up with one day to cry over disappointments or tough times, but were expected to carry on the next day.”


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