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A heavy downpour at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert has left thousands of attendees stranded in a muddy “hellscape.” The rainfall, which began on Friday evening, has caused roads to close and resulted in a shortage of essential resources such as food and water. Portable toilets are no longer functional due to the flooding.
Despite the chaotic conditions, festival-goers are still finding ways to enjoy themselves. “People are still partying though, you hear it,” said Kris Edwards, a TikTok user and attendee.
Burning Man, once known for its alternative lifestyles, has transformed into an event frequented by social media influencers and celebrities. The traditional burning of a human effigy, which gives the festival its name, has been postponed due to the rain.
Among this year’s attendees were comedian Chris Rock and DJ Diplo, who had to be rescued by a pick-up truck after hiking to a freeway. Videos on social media show participants trekking through mud in an attempt to leave the venue before lockdown measures were implemented.
“Welcome to Burning Man aka Hellscape,” wrote Thatcher, a TikTok user, accompanied by a video of mountain bikes sinking in thick mud.
Organizers of Burning Man have advised attendees to stay put, conserve resources, and connect with their fellow campmates. Driving is strictly prohibited, except for emergency vehicles, as roads remain closed and conditions continue to be hazardous.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is investigating one death related to the rain. Vehicles are unable to traverse the muddy terrain of the festival grounds.
Footage circulating on social media depicts the dire situation, with submerged vehicles and broken portable toilets. Despite the challenges, festival-goers like Marshall Mosher remain optimistic and emphasize the beauty that lies beyond adversity.
The National Weather Service predicts that rain and thunderstorms will persist until Sunday evening. Some attendees do not expect to be able to leave until Wednesday. The organizers plan to burn the man later in the evening, but roads are not yet suitable for travel.
Angie Peacock, a first-time visitor, reassured her followers that she was safe and engaged in helping with the recovery efforts. “We’re just doing minimal life activities… I can probably predict that everybody’s gonna get naked and run through the mud,” shared Peacock, capturing a naked mud run on Instagram.
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