Grand Casino Biloxi washed across U.S. 90. Treasure Bay's pirate ship was beached. Beau Rivage still stood, while Hard Rock Casino -- scheduled to open in early September - was half destroyed. Hard Rock's signature guitar, touted as the world's largest, survived the lashing. In Gulfport, the Copa Casino barge sat on land next to the Grand Casino parking garage. -SunHerald (Biloxi, Miss.) newspaper The last thing I remember about being in Biloxi was the unusual sensation of feeling the white sand in between my toes. I regretted not playing there in May. Wow. What a difference a year makes. Exactly a year ago this week, the crew was all shuffling chips at 1-4-8-8 tables in poker rooms in Biloxi and Gulfport, I was as scared as I've ever been a that nasty $5/10 NL table at the Grand and we learned about "Poker Gods" from Gypsy the local. Even though I felt that the tight, rockish play of the locals in Biloxi tipped my hand toward the fabulous games up the state in Tunica, I always thought I'd return. I definitely wanted to see the new Hard Rock in Biloxi. But now that may be a while. Our wire service has reported terrific damage in those areas from Hurricane Katrina, water coming up onto the third level of some riverboats there and that the Hard Rock sustained terrific damage. I had hoped to visit there sometime after it opened to play in its new poker room. I hope for the best for everyone affected in the area and a speedy recovery to the poker rooms there!

Source: Poker Cats