Tens of thousands are unable to leave Burning Man after heavy rains.
Their campsites were flooded and everyone is ankle-deep in mud. Attendees were told to shelter in place in the Black Rock Desert and conserve food, water and fuel after a rainstorm swamped the area.
Officials have stopped any entering leaving of the festival.
According to CNN,
The remote area in northwest Nevada was hit with 2 to 3 months worth of rain – up to 0.8 inches – in just 24 hours between Friday and Saturday mornings. The heavy rainfall fell on dry desert grounds, whipping up thick, clay-like mud that festivalgoers say is too difficult to walk or bike through.
Authorities are also investigating a death at the event. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said it’s investigating
a death which occurred during this rain event.”
Authorities did not publicly name the person or provide details on the circumstances of the death.
Satellite photo shows an overview of Burning Man festival in Black Rock, Nevada on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 with an estimated 70,000 attendees. (Photo provided by Maxar Technologies)
The Reno Gazette Journal is reporting that the Bureau of Land Management said in a statement,
More rain is expected over the next few days and conditions are not expected to improve enough to allow vehicles to enter the playa.
We do not currently have an estimated time for the roads to be dry enough for RVs or vehicles to navigate safely.
Monday late in the day would be possible if weather conditions are in our favor. It could be sooner.”
The gate and airport in and out of Black Rock City remain closed. Ingress and egress are halted until further notice. No driving is permitted except emergency vehicles. If you are in BRC, conserve food and water, and shelter in a warm space. More updates to come. Stay safe!
— Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) September 3, 2023
For now, the gate and airport into Black Rock City remain closed and no driving is allowed into or out of the city except for emergency vehicles, the organizers said on social media. (Black Rock City is a temporary metropolis that is erected annually for the festival and comes complete with emergency, safety and sanitary infrastructure.)
There have been people who managed to walk to a main road and were waiting for transport from the festival organizers Saturday night, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said. (Diplo picked up Chris Rock on the way out to make a gig…)
Authorities have not provided information on when roads could reopen, but the sunshine is expected to return Monday after more showers Sunday.
(via CNN)
