The Burning Man festival in Nevada became a disaster after one was found dead and 70,000 others were left stranded after heavy rains created a muddy environment in the surrounding area.
The tens of thousands of people who attended the festival were asked to shelter in place and conserve what food and water they still had on Saturday. In a statement on social media,organizers of the event said that access to and from Black Rock City, where Burning Man is held, has been temporarily closed for the remainder of the festival.
Burning Man Festival Disaster
The agency that manages the land on which the festival takes place, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, also issued a statement that said that rain in the last 24 hours has created a situation that mandated a full stop of vehicle movement on the playa. It added that they expect more rain to come over the next few days and that conditions are will not improve to allow vehicles to enter, as per Reuters.
One of the attendees at the festival, Paul Reder, had an RV, which was surrounded by thick, pasty mud on Saturday afternoon. He said they were fortunately in a big camp with many supplies and had started sharing.
Reder has been attending the Burning Man festival for over two decades and said it would take at least two days for the area to dry out. He noted that while he was prepared to ride it out, some attendees were leaving the site on foot and started to trek to the nearest highway.
The festival organizers estimated that Black Rock City saw more than half an inch of rain overnight. The event's website noted that more than 60,000 participants travel to and from the remote area in northwest Nevada each year. They gather in the temporary city to make art, dance, and enjoy the community.
One Dead and 70,000 Stranded
Despite the celebrations, authorities have reported at least one death during the festival and have advised people not to drive at this point. According to CNN, they said that they would be issuing updates on the driving ban after the weather front has left the area.
The National Weather Service office in Reno said they expected more rain on Sunday afternoon. It noted that stronger storms will bring heavy rainfall, small hail, and wind gusts stronger than 40 mph.
The death at the festival is now under investigation by the sheriff's office, which did not publicly identify the person or provide any details regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatality. A news release on Saturday added that the deceased's family has been notified about the situation.
A DJ and producer, Diplo, said he had to hitch a ride in the back of a pickup to get out of Black Rock City, joined by comedian Chris Rock. He said that he had to walk on the side of the road for several hours because he had a show in a different area, said NBC News.
Related Article: A Neo-Nazi Rally Was Performed During Florida's Labor Day Weekend
