Thousands of attendees at the Burning Man Festival have been stranded due to heavy rain that caused severe flooding at the event. The festival, held in the usually dry Nevada desert, was hit by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, turning the ground into a slippery mud pit. As a result, the entrance to the festival was closed, and participants were advised to conserve resources until the ground dried up.
Organizers of the festival have now allowed attendees to begin leaving the site on Monday afternoon. They have also scheduled the annual burning of the man for Monday evening, although this is still dependent on weather conditions. The festival is expected to conclude tonight with the burning of the iconic figure.
The heavy rain and ensuing flooding also led to a death at the festival. Burning Man Communications stated that the death was unrelated to the weather, and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the incident.
The chaotic situation at the festival has resulted in the spread of false conspiracy theories online, including claims of an Ebola outbreak. However, there is no evidence to support these claims.
Despite the challenges faced by attendees, the festival has received praise from entrepreneur Elon Musk. Musk described Burning Man as “the best art on Earth” and praised its uniqueness.
Videos and memes of the festival have also gone viral on social media, showcasing the determination of participants who continued to enjoy the event despite the difficult conditions.
Organizers have advised attendees to consider delaying their departure until Tuesday to alleviate congestion when clearing to leave. The festival grounds are gradually drying up due to sunny conditions.
As the grounds begin to dry, Burning Man officials are hopeful for a midday exodus. However, the wet conditions are still preventing most vehicles from leaving the area.
The festival has experienced a series of challenges this year, including a delayed set-up due to Tropical Storm Hilary and major logjams at the festival gates.
Overall, the 2023 edition of the Burning Man Festival will be remembered for its weather-related obstacles and the resilience of its participants.