Harrah’s Metropolis and Caesars Southern Indiana are still shut down on Tuesday due to the Ohio River overflowing its banks in low-lying areas earlier this week. 

The riverboat operated by Caesars Entertainment at Harrah’s was closed temporarily on Sunday night because of increasing levels of the Ohio River. Visitors with hotel bookings were informed that their arrangements couldn’t be fulfilled. 

The Ohio River at the Paducah gauge, overseen by the National Weather Service (NWS), continues to be under a Moderate Flood Warning at 45.75 feet, significantly above the 32-foot Action Mark and 39-foot Minor Warning. A Moderate Warning activates at 43 feet, while a Major Flood Warning begins at 52 feet. 

The NWS forecasts that the Ohio River will keep rising over the coming week, reaching a peak of 49.5 feet by next Wednesday before dropping to safer levels. 

The NWS states a flood warning is declared when flooding is likely or currently occurring. The agency reports that the Moderate Flood Warning for Metropolis and Maccas County is in effect until at least 1 am CDT on Wednesday, April 9, although an extension seems probable. 

Casinos Shut Down 

Harrah’s Metropolis informs visitors on its website that the establishment is still closed.

"Due to rising water levels on the Ohio River, Harrah’s Metropolis Hotel & Casino is temporarily closed as of 5 p.m., April 6, 2025. We look forward to reopening when it is safe to do so.”

In addition to the slot machines and table games, the shutdown has temporarily halted the casino's two dining establishments — the Riverfront Grill and Bridges Dining Company. 

The Ohio River keeps increasing due to extended rainfall over a significant part of the South and Midwest. Many communities have been submerged by floodwaters, with the heavy rainfall linked to at least two dozen fatalities since the middle of last week. 

Kentucky has so far taken the hardest hit from the flooding, with the Kentucky River reaching its peak in the state capital of Frankfort on Monday. 

Caesars Southern Indiana in Elizabeth, located just south of Louisville, shut down on Tuesday afternoon because of flooding from the Ohio River. Caesars states that the hotel and casino will stay closed “until further notice” for the “safety of our guests and team members.” 

Harrah’s Metropolis Information 

Harrah’s Metropolis is a casino on a riverboat situated by the Ohio at mile marker 944 of the river. The riverboat was launched in 1993 at Players Island. 

In 2000, Harrah’s Entertainment, now known as Caesars, acquired the riverboat from Players International and television game show innovator Merv Griffin, who co-owned the enterprise. After acquiring Caesars Entertainment in 2005 and adopting the Caesars name, Harrah’s invested in a new boat and a seven-story hotel with 214 rooms. 

Following the 2015 decision by Illinois lawmakers permitting riverboats to relocate inland, Harrah’s transitioned the gaming area from the boat to the building that previously served as the event center. 

Currently, Harrah’s Metropolis features more than 600 slot machines and 24 live dealer table games within its 24K-square-foot gaming area. Sports betting kiosks are scattered across the venue, and visitors can also install the Caesars Sportsbook app to place bets via mobile.