After heavy rain marooned tens of thousands at Burning Man, there’s hope that the roads may finally reopen today. Discover the latest updates on the festival’s muddy predicament and its impact on attendees.
Burning Man Exodus: Battling Through Mud and Mother Nature’s Wrath
The much-anticipated conclusion of the Burning Man festival was met with an unexpected twist as torrential rains transformed the Nevada desert into a muddy quagmire. Tens of thousands of festival-goers found themselves stranded amidst ankle-deep mud, rendering the roadways impassable and forcing organizers to implement shelter-in-place directives. As the festival’s end looms, there’s optimism that the roads may reopen today, offering respite to those ensnared in the muddy chaos.
Awaiting Exodus
Since Saturday, roads leading to and from the Black Rock Desert event have remained closed, and attendees have been advised to conserve essential supplies, including food, water, and fuel. Authorities declared that the mud left by the deluge had made vehicular movement “virtually impossible.” The festival, initially scheduled to culminate on Monday, faces uncertainty regarding when attendees will be allowed to depart. Burning Man organizers are expected to unveil their road reopening plans today.
A Glimpse of Hope
Despite sporadic drizzles, there is a glimmer of hope as conditions on the playa improve. However, the roads within Black Rock City still await the necessary dryness to permit the Exodus. Clear skies are forecasted to return today, and organizers anticipate commencing Exodus as conditions ameliorate.
Stranded Amidst the Mud
Some resourceful attendees have managed to escape on foot, trudging through the thick mud. However, the majority of RVs remain firmly stuck in place. Amar Singh Duggal, who hiked approximately 2 miles through the muck, likened each step to walking with “two big cinder blocks on our feet.” Even DJ Diplo, along with comedian Chris Rock, resorted to hitchhiking on the back of a pickup truck to exit the festival.
Counting the Attendees
As of the latest update on Sunday night, approximately 72,000 individuals remain on the festival grounds. The scheduled burning of the festival’s iconic man-shaped totem has been postponed to Monday due to adverse weather conditions.
Unprecedented Rainfall
The remote region in northwest Nevada experienced an extraordinary deluge, receiving two to three months’ worth of rain, equating to up to 0.8 inches, in a mere 24 hours spanning Friday and Saturday morning. This exceptional rainfall turned the dry desert terrain into a clay-like morass, compelling some festivalgoers to improvise by tying bags around their feet to navigate the treacherous mud.
A Tragic Loss
Amidst the festival’s tumultuous circumstances, a tragedy unfolded as a 40-year-old man lost his life just before the weekend. Burning Man organizers clarified that this fatality was unrelated to the adverse weather conditions. Emergency responders attended to the distress call but were unable to resuscitate the individual. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident.
Rallying Resources
Efforts to assist those in need on the festival grounds have been underway, with resources mobilized from across northern Nevada. Additional four-wheel-drive vehicles and all-terrain tires have been procured to aid in the transportation of individuals with medical or urgent requirements. Black Rock City, the temporary festival metropolis, boasts a robust emergency, safety, and sanitation infrastructure. Festival organizers reaffirm their commitment to safety and the forthcoming Exodus as their paramount concerns.
