Background Information
The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States. Located in the heartland of the country, the river serves as a vital transportation hub as well as a potential business center for numerous riverboat casinos. However, due to the significant flooding of the Mississippi River in recent years, these businesses have had to face some difficult decisions.
To understand this more, it’s necessary to look into why these floods are happening and how they affect the riverboat casinos. This will help us answer the question of whether the floods are affecting Mississippi river boat gambling.
Relevant Data
In order to determine if flood waters are dramatically affecting Mississippi river boat gambling, it’s necessary to look at the facts. Reports indicate that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently records the Upper Mississippi combining with its tributaries as having a “surplus” of approximately 25,000 cubic feet of water per second since June of 2019.
Additionally, the Mississippi River’s water level is believed to be higher than the previous year. This is a cause for concern for riverboat casinos as it serves to increase the risk of flooding.
Perspectives from Experts
Experts from the National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have commented on the situation. They’ve stated that the river is experiencing levels much higher than the long-term average and this often results in flooding events and even the closure of waterways. Unfortunately, this affects navigation and other businesses located near the banks of the river.
Furthermore, some experts suggest that this isn’t just a seasonal issue, but a long-term problem for the Mississippi River and its businesses. This is a worrying trend as more flooding is expected as different cities across North America experience heavier downpours due to climate change.
Own Insights and Analysis
As seen above, the floods have a significant effect on businesses, including Mississippi river boat gambling. Despite some cities being far from the river – the increase in water levels can still have an effect.
The large rise in the Mississippi relies heavily on the snow contributed from the Midwest and is almost doubled by heavy spring rains. As such, this is an issue that should be taken into account when considering the long-term economic effects of the floods.
Educating and Engaging the Reader
Given the large scale of the floods and the effects they have on the Mississippi, it is essential that the public is aware of the situation and educated on the impacts. One of the primary methods of tackling the issue is to fund and start projects which mitigate the risk of flooding in areas around the river with the help of various Federal and State programmes.
More meaningfully, communities affected by the floods must be helped. This includes the families which were displaced, as well as the companies which have suffered losses – such as Mississippi river boat casinos. These organisations must utilise the incentives available to them to save money, as well as ensure their businesses can survive during such trying times.
Emotional Triggers
The floods of the Mississippi have a real human cost and it is important that those affected are not forgotten in the press. It is here that the emotional content of a story truly comes into play.
By highlighting the acts of courage of the families which stay in the river’s floodplain, readers can truly understand how powerful the situation is. The reality of the floods is only really made real when people are affected and this is something that cannot be forgotten.
Avoidance of Passive Voice and Use of Active Voice
By using the active voice in stories such as this, it is possible to craft messages which are absolute and full of action. For example, whereas a passive voice would say something like “the Mississippi River floods were caused mainly by the snowfall in the Midwest”, the active voice might be spun as “the snow in the Midwest caused the floods in the Mississippi River.”
By being direct and succinct with active voice, it helps to express the message being conveyed more powerfully.
Effects on Wildlife
The effects of the flooding on Mississippi river boat gambling businesses must not be underestimated. However, its effects must not just be observed from a human perspective but from an environmental one as well.
Animals rely on the floodwaters for sustenance and are increasingly feeling the effects of the floods. Fish, molluscs, birds, and a variety of other creatures have been forced to adapt to their changing living conditions and this affects their habitats and thus the food chain of the river.
When considering the projects which can be activated to minimise the floods, they must not just be geared towards humans, but also towards the animals which are affected.
Stress and Anxiety on Flood Survivors
Due to the floods of the Mississippi, many individuals must come to terms with losing the only homes they have ever known. Not only is the financial burden hard to bear, the emotional toll is considerable and can lead to long-term trauma.
In order to help those affected, counsellors must be reached out to through Federal and state programmes. These professionals can ensure that those individuals who have lost their homes due to the floods are given the emotional support needed to make it through the difficult times.
Socioeconomic Impact
When the floods of the Mississippi leave communities and destroy businesses, there is a significant amount of money that is lost and has to be replaced. This can lead to entire ecosystems struggling, whereby companies connected to the riverboat casinos may be in trouble, leading to layoffs and other issues for those connected to them.
Moreover, the infrastructure of the region must also be improved in order to deal with the increased risk of flooding. This includes roads, levees, and bridges. All of this costs money and if the governments do not act swiftly, the effects can be disastrous.
Government Solutions
When it comes to tackling the floods of the Mississippi, governments must look to utilise the latest technologies and research when attempting to clear and repair the area. Moreover, old infrastructure must not be simply discarded and replaced, but adapted to modern forms of engineering.
By combining old and new methods of construction, governments can ensure that the area does not fall into ruin and the economic benefits of the riverboat casinos are maintained. By bringing those affected together, progress can be made.
Property Insurance and Loan Forgiveness
In order to protect businesses affected by the floods, insurance is essential to mitigate the losses of these venues. In addition, tariff or loan forgiveness programmes can reduce the financial burden that these companies may be experiencing.
By giving them this option, these companies can focus on making improvements without fear of becoming bankrupt. Furthermore, government grants can also be used to try and combat the issue.
Volunteering to Help
Due to the floods, Mississippi residents have experienced multiple dislocations and losses that can often leave them feeling helpless. However, heartfelt actions from the public can go a long way in restoring the sense of community that the floods damaged.
People can get together and volunteer to help out those affected by the floods and thus build a sense of solidarity and connectedness. This can motivate those affected to continue to fight and make sure that their businesses stay afloat.
