Burning Man Festival Stranded by Flooding: Thousands Trapped, 1 Death Investigated
Tens of thousands of people attending the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert found themselves stranded after heavy storms caused flooding in the area. While authorities investigated a potential death, efforts were underway to open exit paths before the Labor Day weekend concluded.
To ensure safety, organizers closed vehicular access to the festival and attendees were left to navigate through muddy terrain, with many resorting to walking barefoot or using plastic bags to protect their feet. Festival-goers were advised to stay in place and conserve essential supplies like food and water. Some managed to walk several miles to the nearest town, while others relied on the kindness of strangers for transportation.
Celebrity DJ Diplo shared a video on Instagram, illustrating the challenges faced by attendees. Diplo and comedian Chris Rock had walked six miles through the mud before hitching a ride. Diplo described the experience of hitchhiking and walking alongside the road for hours.
The Burning Man festival, which takes place in the Black Rock Desert, attracts around 80,000 artists, musicians, and activists each year and generates millions of dollars in revenue for Nevada. The event, known for its avant-garde performances and emphasis on self-sufficiency, usually spans a week, with participants bringing their own supplies such as food, water, and other essentials.
Disruptions are not uncommon at Burning Man, as evidenced by temporary closures in 2018 due to dust storms and the event’s cancellation during the pandemic. However, the current flooding has presented unique challenges for festival-goers.
Despite the difficult circumstances, those stranded at Burning Man have displayed resilience and have made the most of the muddy conditions. The internet has been flooded with selfies of people covered in mud, dancing, and enjoying makeshift lakes.
Theresa Galeani, an organizer at the event, expressed her positive outlook, stating that people were making the best of the situation. She acknowledged that some individuals who were scheduled to leave earlier may be running low on supplies but assured that efforts were being made to distribute food and water.
Longtime Burning Man attendee Ed Fletcher also embraced the challenging conditions as part of the festival’s spirit. He and his campmates threw a party and danced the night away wearing their muddy shoes. Fletcher emphasized that Burning Man has always been about the struggle and the necessity for radical self-reliance.
While the festival strives to endure such weather events, authorities are investigating a death that occurred during the event. However, details surrounding the incident, including the person’s identity and the suspected cause of death, have not been revealed.
Organizers have urged participants to remain calm, assuring them that the festival is equipped to handle adverse conditions. They have arranged for cellphone trailers in various locations and temporarily opened internet access to facilitate communication. Shuttle buses are being organized to transport attendees from the nearby town of Gerlach to Reno.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the vehicle gates will remain closed for the remainder of the event, which was originally scheduled to end on Monday, August 30. The festival site experienced over half an inch of rainfall on Friday, and additional rainfall is expected on Sunday.
Ice sales at the festival have been rationed due to the temporary halt in vehicle traffic, and portable toilets are unable to be serviced. Officials have not provided a definite timeline for when celebrants can leave the grounds, as the roads need to be dry enough to ensure safe travel. However, organizers remain hopeful that vehicles will be able to depart by late Monday if the weather conditions improve.
Due to the ongoing situation, the burning of the large wooden effigy, a significant moment during the festival, has been postponed. Organizers continue to monitor the conditions and will make further announcements as necessary.
