Tourism officials want visitors to know city is open for business

Media all over the country carried reports of death and destruction from Thursday's flooding.

"It's a slow, steady stream of customer traffic now that people realize we're reopen," said Maureen Taylor Crampton, spokeswoman for the Forum Shops at Caesars, which was flooded with 2 feet of water Thursday.

The upscale shopping center adjacent to Caesars Palace reopened Friday afternoon after crews worked through the night to pump out water and clean up the mess. Twelve stores were unable to open because of serious damage to flooring, fixtures and electrical systems, Ms. Crampton said.

Caesars Palace also reopened a casino area adjacent to the entrance to the Forum Shops. It also was shut down Thursday because of the flooding.

The loss of revenue from the shutdown will be "significant" when the final numbers are in, Crampton said.

The storm attracted national media coverage Thursday and Friday. Images of the Strip included muddy floodwaters spilling into the pristine, artificial lake in front of Bellagio and cars stuck in the flowing water.

"Because of the extensive national reports about the storm, we had to get the word out that Las Vegas is open for business and accessible," said Rob Powers, spokesman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The authority issued a brief press release Friday morning via PR News Wire and fax transmission to major media in Southern California and Arizona, Powers said.

"Las Vegas resorts are ready to accommodate customers concerned about flooding in the region on Thursday," the release said.

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