Severe storms have led to the closure of the entrance to the iconic Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert, as flooding inundates the area.
Burning Man Festival has always mandated brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to shield attendees from the relentless sun and blinding dust. However, this year, unexpected heavy rains left many wishing they had packed umbrellas and galoshes.
The deluge, amounting to nearly an inch of precipitation, transformed Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the usual site for this annual extravaganza, into a mud bath.
In a recent update posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Burning Man Organization conveyed that due to the adverse conditions, access in and out of the event grounds has been completely shut down for the duration of the festival. The statement explained that only emergency vehicles are currently permitted to pass through.
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“Conserve food, water, and fuel, and shelter in a warm, safe space,” the statement implored individuals stranded in the desert to take heed.
Bobby White captured the surreal scene of Burning Man Festival
Attendee Bobby White, renowned for hosting the TV series Sailing Doodles, trekked through the muck, capturing the surreal scene in a YouTube video set against a backdrop of overcast skies and waterlogged tents.
However, amidst the challenging conditions, event volunteer Joshua Lease reported that spirits among festivalgoers remain remarkably high. In the true spirit of Burning Man Festival, people are rallying together, sharing warm clothing and phone chargers wherever possible, and the sound of music continues to fill the air.
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The inclement weather has necessitated the rescheduling of several planned art installation burns, including the iconic burning of the wooden-man effigy, a sacred Saturday night tradition.
Authorities, including the Washoe County sheriff’s office, in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, are closely monitoring the situation and providing support as required.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the festival entrance has faced disruption this year. Earlier, climate protesters caused extensive traffic jams by positioning a 28-foot trailer in the path of festival-goers at the event’s outset.
As the weekend progresses, there are forecasts of more rain to come.