It’s one of the many heartbreaking stories that accompanied the arrival of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Hard Rock Casino Hotel was preparing to open just two days after Katrina hit. Hard Rock General Manager Joe Billhimer had just given his troops his final pep talk before sending them off to evacuate their homes and button up the new casino.

“I was actually glad we’d be able to get away for a couple of days,” he says, never believing that Katrina would bring the devastation it did. “After all, we had been hit by four or five storms the previous couple of years and were able to get back into business in a few days.

“I was hoping they’d relax for a couple of days and return even more energized.”

Little did Billhimer realize that the storm surge from Katrina would reach nearly 30 feet, upending the barge housing the casino and effectively destroying the new property. Although all but one of the original employees survived the storm (the one fatality occurred when returning after the hurricane), the destruction set into motion a series of events that threatened the very existence of the casino.

“We had insurance issues, bond issues and we now have an entirely new ownership group,” says Billhimer. “It’s been a wild ride but we’ve come through it with flying colors.”

The opening was celebrated with a traditional Hard Rock “guitar smash,” featuring at least 50 guitars being destroyed by the principals and invited guests at Hard Rock Biloxi. The event was staged in front of the casino in front of the trademark giant guitar, which itself is a symbol that Biloxi is back.

Mayor A.J. Holloway believes the Hard Rock opening is just another sign that the city is ready to welcome guests back to its casinos.

“I have tremendous admiration for the Hard Rock people,” he says. “What they’ve gone through for the past two years and then to deliver a product like this is impressive. It demonstrates that Biloxi is back and is only going to get better.”

For Gulf Coast gaming veteran Billhimer, the opening represented to closing of a circle, albeit two years late.

“We can’t think about storms anymore,” he says. “We have to concentrate on making Biloxi great. Our associates are truly the greatest. They have dedicated themselves to giving the best service and they enjoy working for a company that has a positive message. And that’s what we want to stress from now on.”

By Casino Connection Staff

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