Burning Man festival-goers faced grim conditions after heavy rainfall caused chaos, including flooding and muddy conditions. The festival, held at Black Rock City in Nevada, descended into chaos as attendees tried to navigate the extreme weather.
Tragically, a 32-year-old man named Leon Reece was found unresponsive on the playa on Friday. Emergency responders were unable to revive him, and while the exact cause of his death is still pending, drug intoxication is suspected, according to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
As the extreme weather subsided and organizers reopened the route to vehicles, attendees finally began leaving the festival on Monday. However, tempers flared during the exodus, with Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen stating that attendees “lashed out” at each other as they waited to leave the desert.
Despite long wait times during the exodus, which reached up to seven hours at its peak, by Wednesday morning, the wait times were reduced to just 20 minutes, according to the festival’s social media post.
Officials also debunked a conspiracy theory circulating that the festival was hit with an Ebola outbreak. The Center for Disease Control confirmed that there were no reports of Ebola, Mpox, or Marburg at Burning Man.
The festival, known for its art installations and unique experience in the Black Rock Desert, attracts thousands of attendees each year. However, this year’s event was marred by the severe weather, leaving many festival-goers stranded in the mud. Some notable figures, including country artist Oliver Anthony and comedian Chris Rock, shared their experiences of escaping the chaos.
Despite the challenges faced, Burning Man remains a highly anticipated event for many, offering a one-of-a-kind experience in the Nevada desert.