Do you remember the television commercial, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature"? This last week, it kept echoing through my mind as we experienced the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.

Returning from the WSOP Circuit Event in Tunica, we stopped for the weekend at the Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, Mississippi, about 200 miles north of the Gulf Coast. We decided to stay and play in a World Poker Showdown satellite that Sunday for a December tournament and cruise package.

After Greg and I both got to the final table and busted out in sixth and fourth respectively, Hurricane Tracking made it apparent we should stay put for the next couple of days. After residing in Florida for the last 24 years, living through Hurricane Andrew in the early 90's, and evacuating several times each hurricane season, I have a high regard for Mother Nature.

So we hunkered down and watched with the rest of the country, as Kat blasted the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coasts.

As our initial two-day stay became six, we were touched by the literal connection that grew among strangers. We met many people who had lost everything . . . their jobs, homes and livelihoods. I would have expected to see people sitting in the lobby sobbing. Instead, because so many shared the same situation, they made new friends and bonded . . . "Thank God my family is safe! We can replace and rebuild everything else."

We were delighted to see how the Pearl River Resort management and staff handled the situation. They soothed raw nerves, opened their doors to pets as well as people, and were fully prepared to convert their convention center into a shelter should the need arise.

We felt the brunt of her fury on Monday night as fickled Katrina first turned west, then back east, and then moved inland directly over our location. Even though the 165 mile-an-hour winds had somewhat diminished, the hurricane relentlessly pounded the area, uprooting trees and downing power lines, interrupting all phone, cable and water services. Despite the damage to the community, Pearl River Resort, including both of its casinos and hotels, remains fully operational.

In my last column, I mentioned that Mississippi has dockside gambling, and all gaming, other than on the Indian Reservation (Pearl River Resort), must take place on boats that are actually in the water . . . the Gulf, Bays and Mississippi River. Effectively, the casinos are on huge barges that rise and fall with the water. Kat's tidal surge of more than 20 feet literally picked up several of the Mississippi casino barges, tearing them away from their moorings, and depositing them on land.

From all reports, this is what we were able to piece together about the damage to the Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos - effectively the majority of the properties have been totally demolished beyond repair. First, understand that the Gulf Casinos in Biloxi and Gulfport are located south of Highway 90, which runs along the beach. (With all the lost gaming revenue to the State of Mississippi, it is currently rumored that the State may be making a move to permanently approve land-based casinos.)

1. Biloxi Grand - picked up and moved north of the highway.
2. Biloxi Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - bayside, scheduled for its opening August 30, lay with half its hotel open to the elements.
3. Biloxi Beau Rivage - casino stayed in place, but was flooded. Reportedly, the hotel was flooded to the fourth floor.
4. Biloxi Boomtown - two feet of water in the casino.
5. Biloxi Palace Casino & Hotel - bayside, opened July 2005, status unknown.
6. Biloxi Silver Slipper - scheduled to open November 2005, status unknown.
7. Gulfport Treasure Bay - was torn from its moorings and is adrift.
8. Gulfport President - now sitting on the north side of Highway 90.
9. Gulfport Grand - the casino was broken in half, and one part now sits on 90.
10. Gulfport Copa - previously beside of the Gulfport Grand, is now in the Grand's parking lot.
11. Isle of Capri, Lula - status unknown

Just about the time we all expected the worst was over for the Gulf Coast, the Nation turned its attention to New Orleans on Tuesday, August 30, 2005, when a levee broke and flooded the entire city . . . I thought of the WSOP Circuit Event that had been scheduled for Harrah's in October and realized that three of Harrah's properties were now affected.

Just prior to press time, we were able to speak with Harrah's spokesperson, David Strow, regarding the Grand Casinos and Hotels in Biloxi and Gulfport, and Harrah's in New Orleans: "Of course, all three of the properties are currently closed, with the two Mississippi properties closed indefinitely due to their extreme damage. The New Orleans property received relatively modest damage. They first estimated only a four week closing for Harrah's New Orleans until the Mayor announced today that they estimated the city of New Orleans would be closed for at least 90 days. Therefore, the reopening of Harrah's in New Orleans will be completely dependent on the reopening of the city."

Harrah's has stepped up to the plate and has their priorities in line. Harrah's spokesperson outlined their efforts to assist these displaced employees:
1. Harrah's major concern is to account for the 8,000 employees of the three affected properties and help them during this unprecedented time. They have set up an emergency employee information line only for use by employees of these three properties - 877.422.7466.
2. Harrah's is sheltering employees at some of their other properties in Tunica, Bossier City, and Lake Charles.
3. All affected employees' base pay will be guaranteed for a full 90 days.
4. The Harrah's Foundation has seeded an Employee Recovery Fund with $1,000,000 and invites other Harrah's employees and the public to contribute to the fund. You can find contribution information on their website, .
5. Harrah's is scouring their corporation for job openings, and the displaced employees will be given first priority for any available jobs.

Harrah's spokesperson ended our conversation with, "Tell everyone . . . WE'LL BE BACK! Harrah's will be back to the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coasts, and we'll be bigger and better than ever!" Bravo for Harrah's!