FESTIVALS
What caused the flooding and the mud at Burning Man festival in Nevada?
70,000 people are still trapped at the festival in the Nevada desert after torrential rain disrupted proceedings.
Thousands remain stranded at the Burning Man festival due to floods. Heavy rain, lasting for several hours, turned the usually dusty ground into something reminiscent of a First World War battlefield. 2 to 3 months worht of rain fell in 24 hours on Friday night.
Conditions weren’t helped by the topography of the location; it used to be a dried-up lake bed, making it a natural point for water to flow to.
Despite being told not to attempt to leave the Burning Man festival, some attendees tried to drive out of the mire on Sunday, destroying the ground further.
“Please do NOT drive at this time,” officials said in a statement. “We will update you on the driving ban after this weather front has left the area.”
Other areas of Nevada were struck by the rainfall. A person died in Las Vegas, which authorities believed to have been caused by drowning.
There isn’t a timetable for when attendees of Burning Man can leave.
“We do not currently have an estimated time for the roads to be dry enough for RVs or vehicles to navigate safely,” the statement continued.
“Monday late in the day would be possible if weather conditions are in our favor. It could be sooner.”
One person has died at Burning Man
In other news relating to the festival, one attendee has died and police have opened an investigation.
In a statement on Saturday, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said it is “currently investigating a death which occurred during this rain event,” without further information.