Officials with Vicksburg’s four casinos say they are in good shape to handle the Mississippi River’s projected 52.5-foot crest when it reaches the city Jan. 15.

In 2011, high water from the Mississippi forced two casinos, DiamondJacks and Rainbow (now Lady Luck), to close because of flooding as the river reached a record 57.1 feet at Vicksburg.

The casino officials said that won’t be the case this time and all plan to stay open.

“We were not bothered by the 2011 flood; we got some water in our parking lot,” said David Lee director of facilities for Riverwalk Casino, which remained open during the 2011 flood. “A 54-foot flood will not hurt us.”

He said the only concern for the casino is its lift station for sewage, which is on the left side of the casino property and at a lower elevation than the casino and hotel.

“We’ll have to keep an eye on that, but as long as the river doesn’t get higher than 57 feet we’re OK,” he said.

At neighboring Lady Luck, general manager Paul Avery said the casino is high enough to weather the 52-foot crest.

“We should have enough protection,” he said, adding if the water gets higher, workers would have to install boards to protect the property.

“It shouldn’t be necessary in this case,” he said. “We will be fine.”

DiamondJacks general manager Felicia Gavin, said the casino will begin lifting its gaming barge to accommodate the river’s changing level, which will soon be higher than the cofferdam that holds the barge.

“It will be done slowly, so our guests will hardly notice it is being lifted,” she said. “The only change people will notice is the entrance to the barge from the hotel will be relocated from the second to the first flood of the hotel. The main entrance for the barge will be in the same location, but the ramp will be steeper.”

Gerad Harvey, general manager of Ameristar Casino, which remained open during the 2011 flood, changes made at the casino during that period will enable it to remain open.

“From the knowledge and the lessons we’ve learned from our experience in the 2011 flood, we were able to make some significant changes, and our director of engineering has become an expert at mitigating floods,” Hardy said. “We will be ready for the crest; it should not be a problem.”