Early this morning, a portion of the casino roof collapsed during a heavy thunderstorm that struck the Las Vegas Valley. The collapsed area impacted approximately 25 percent of the 85,000 square foot casino. In addition to the roof collapse, the storm also knocked out all electrical power within a 10-square block area of Palace Station and sent floodwater through several entrances of the casino. 

A few hours following this incident, a four-alarm fire broke out in a building facade at the top of the hotel tower. Damage was confined to the outside of the building at the roof. The Las Vegas Fire Department attributed the fire to lightning or rain that short-circuited wiring atop the hotel tower. It was extinguished approximately 30 minutes later while hotel security personnel evacuated approximately 2,200 guests. Injuries were minor in both incidents. 

The 21-story hotel tower is fully functional with the exception of the rooms on the 21st floor that underwent more substantial smoke and water damage. The casino portion of the facility is currently closed as the company evaluates its alternatives. "We are fortunate that none of our guests or team members suffered any serious injuries. Our property losses and business interruption are covered under our insurance policies, thus we do not expect a material financial impact as a result of these events. A portion of the casino will open at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, July 21st and we will continue to evaluate how soon we can re-open the balance of the casino and restaurants. We are working with our insurance representatives, construction consultants and engineers to determine the extent of damages, a realistic timetable for repairs and when we can completely re-open," said Glenn C. Christenson, executive vice president/chief financial officer. 

Station Casinos, Inc., is a multi-jurisdictional gaming company that owns and operates the Palace Station Hotel Casino, the Boulder Station Hotel Casino, the Texas Station Gambling Hall Hotel, and the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nevada, as well as slot machine route management services in Clark County, Nevada. Station Casinos, Inc., also owns and operates Station Casino St. Charles, a gaming and entertainment facility in St. Charles, Missouri, and Station Casino Kansas City, a gaming and entertainment facility in Kansas City, Missouri. 

This press release may be deemed to contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and expansion projects of STN and its subsidiaries which involve risks and uncertainties including, but no limited to, competition from other gaming operations, construction risks, and licensing and other regulatory risks. Further information on potential factors which could affect the financial condition, results of operations and expansion projects of STN and its subsidiaries are included in the filings of STN with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to STN's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 and Registration Statement on Form S-4.