By Associated Press
Metropolis, IL – The return of the annual Superman Celebration is a signal to flood-damaged Metropolis that conditions are returning to normal. Metropolis tourism director Angie Shelton says the past few months have been challenging. Flooding earlier this year took an economic toll on the town. High water forced the closing of Harrah's casino for more than a month. Mayor Billy McDaniel estimates the town lost $18,000 per day because of that. About 30,000 people are expected at the four-day Superman Celebration, which begins today at the town's Superman statue. Brandon Routh, who played the Man of Steel in the 2006 movie Superman Returns, is slated to appear at the celebration this Saturday.