Mass Exodus as Rain Floods Burning Man Campsites
Thousands of Burning Man attendees were finally able to leave after being stranded in ankle-deep mud due to heavy rains over the weekend. The rain flooded camp sites and made it difficult for the free-spirited revelers to navigate the area. Organizers announced on Monday afternoon that the driving ban, imposed on Friday, had been lifted, allowing attendees to safely leave Black Rock City, the temporary city built for the event.
Although the area was still muddy and parts were challenging to traverse, festival organizers warned the wait time to leave the city was about seven hours on Monday night. However, this wait time is not unusual, as previous years have seen similar delays during peak travel times.
By Tuesday morning, the situation had improved significantly, with an estimated 2-3 hour wait to leave Black Rock City. Festival organizers advised everyone to get sufficient rest before starting their journey and cautioned about debris from other vehicles on the highway at higher speeds.
The intense rain and resulting stranding caused stress and uncertainty for many attendees, with some missing flights and other responsibilities. However, the weather issues also brought camp communities closer together, as people shared resources and offered shelter to those in need. Kaz Qamruddin, one of the participants, expressed the sense of unity, stating, “We are a community that comes together in hard times.”
Several celebrities were among the early departures, including music DJ Diplo and models Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber. Diplo walked several miles in the muddy desert on Saturday morning along with other celebrities until a fan offered them a ride in the back of a truck.
Of the approximately 72,000 people remaining on site late Sunday evening, around 64,000 remained during midday Monday. Many chose to stay, heeding officials’ recommendations and waiting for the climax of Burning Man: the burning of the Man. The massive wooden effigy was set ablaze on Monday night, one day later than originally scheduled.
The heavy rainfall, which reached up to 0.8 inches in just 24 hours, caused significant disruptions to the event. The desert’s clay ground was unable to absorb the water quickly, resulting in a muddy mixture that made it difficult for vehicles to navigate. While some four-wheel drive vehicles successfully left over the weekend, many others got stuck on the muddy roads, causing delays for others trying to leave.
Throughout the weekend, festival organizers continued to update attendees, urging them to remain in place and sharing weather forecasts. Finally, on Monday at 2 p.m., the driving ban was lifted, allowing the mass exodus to begin. Despite the challenges faced, Burning Man attendees demonstrated resilience and a commitment to community, coming together to support each other in the face of adversity.