NATCHEZ — Damage to the Natchez tourism industry by the historic Mississippi River flood might not be a mess of debris, but some businesses have been feeling waterlogged.

The words “Natchez” and “flood” in national media sparked some people to cancel reservations, postpone vacations and change wedding venues, business owners said. Potential tourists may have imagined Natchez taking on water, even though the city sits atop a 200-foot bluff.

Jerry Jacobson, managing director at Monmouth Plantation, said his business took a hit with the cancellation of two weddings and a major tour group.

“It hurt big time,” Jacobson said. “Probably over half our calls were people asking about flooding.”

Jacobson said a flood status notice was posted to the Monmouth website that offered guests driving directions to avoid flooded roads.

“The biggest obstacle was the road between Vicksburg and Natchez,” Jacobson said. “It’s a more popular route than I expected. People are looking for that scenic, historical route.”

Jacobson said the flood might not have left physical damage on Natchez tourism businesses like his, but there is economic damage nonetheless.

“Unfortunately it came at a time heading into the lowest part of the season,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson said he is focusing on the future and thinks Monmouth Plantations newly-launched website with online reservation capabilities might help.

“We’re just doing everything we can to attract customers,” Jacobson said.

Connie Taunton, director of Natchez tourism, said Natchez was definitely affected by the perception of the media.

“As a convention and visitors bureau, we don’t really see the (economic) impact until a month and a half later when tax revenues come in, so we are just going by what businesses are telling us,” Tauton said.

Taunton said businesses are reporting both an influx of curious customers and cancellations.

Marsha Colson, director of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, said six bus tours were cancelled in May.

Colson said NPT immediately posted a notice on their website saying Natchez is high on a bluff.

“No flooding here,” Colson said. “But when it’s all over national news and people planning a pleasure trip here are unfamiliar and concerned about road closures, I understand why they would postpone it.”

However, some businesses reported that the flood did not affect them at all.

Donald McGlynn, co-owner of Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast said they lucked out and business was as steady as ever.

“We had a few calls from people concerned about flooding,” McGlynn said. “They don’t realize how we’re situated.”

The repercussions of the national media’s misunderstanding benefited some business owners.

Tauton said a number of businesses told her they had some busy weekends of people coming to look at river.

Anne Willett, owner of Pig Out Inn restaurant located a block from the bluff, said the restaurant had plenty of extra business with the flood.

“We absolutely did see an influx of people with the river,” Willett said. “People were here from all over the place, not just from Louisiana and Mississippi, but places like Iowa too.”

Willett said after the river crested the weekend of May 21, business tapered off a bit.

“I think that novelty wore off,” Willett said.

Jonathan Wood, owner of Old South Trading Post on the bluff, said the gift shop also had extra customers.

“We had an influx of cash and customers increase primarily for food items that people can snack on and look at the river from (the bluff),” Wood said.

Wood said Old South Trading Post is one of the few businesses open on Sundays, which had people waiting at the door at 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning to get something to drink, buy snacks and gaze at the river.

John Holyoak, owner of Bowie’s Tavern on Broadway directly across from the bluff, said the flood only helped the bar and grill since it brought in so much foot traffic.

“There was a real curiosity factor considering city officials in Vidalia and Natchez asked people to stay out of flood zone areas,” Holyoak said. “The next best spots to see it were the bluff and the Natchez Trails. I walked through the bar, and all everyone was talking about was the flood.”

Holyoak said throughout history, bars have served as a meeting place to find out what is going on in a community in times of uncertainty. He said Bowie’s is one such hub, especially because a generator is on standby in case power is ever lost in an emergency.

The Natchez Grand Hotel, with its sweeping views of the Mississippi River, had some cancellations, but general manager Walter Tipton said it might work out for the best.

One large group cancelled in May, but rescheduled for August, which is typically a slow time for the hotel.

Tipton said to offset the cancellation, groups of extended-stay rooms were reserved for the United States Coast Guard, Humane Society of the United States and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“People were asking for river view rooms,” Tipton said. “We also did a crawl on the Weather Channel to make people aware that we sit 200 feet above the river on a bluff and it would be cresting here. We promoted the hotel to reinforce in people’s minds the fact that Natchez sits above it. I had to repeat that again and again.”

As the floodwaters recede, the Natchez tourism industry will continue to assess the damage and work toward recovery.