The Burning Man festival is held in the Nevada desert from August 27 to September 4, but the area has been drenched by Tropical Storm Hilary. The storm has caused flooding and mudslides, making the site impassable.

A late-summer storm turned the Burning Man festival into a muddy mess, trapping about 70,000 people in the northern Nevada desert.

The festival was forced to close its gates and cancel the burning of its iconic effigy on Saturday night. Organizers reopened the road leading out of the festival on Monday, allowing tens of thousands of people to leave.

What went wrong this year?

Heavy rain disrupted the Burning Man festival on Friday, forcing organizers to postpone the burning of the festival’s giant wooden effigy and close the roads leading in and out of the event.

The rain fell in excess of the monthly average for the Reno area, which is 0.21 inches. The National Weather Service said that more than 0.5 inches of rain fell at the festival site, turning the playa into a muddy mess.

The road closures prevented many attendees from leaving the festival, and organizers said they were working to open the exit routes by the end of the Labor Day weekend.

One death was reported at the festival, but organizers said it was unrelated to the weather. The man was in his 40s, and the cause of death has not been released.

What’s Burning Man’s policy on cars?

Burning Man has prohibited festival-goers from using cars and trucks during the event since 1997, except in special circumstances. This is because the festival is designed to be a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly space.

Visitors can use their cars to arrive at their camps and depart, but they must otherwise avoid using motor vehicles during the festival. This is to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, as well as to preserve the natural environment of the Black Rock Desert.

The festival’s website states that “over the years, we have seen severe injuries and even death due to vehicle-related accidents.” This year’s rain also caused organizers to close roads in and out of the festival, leaving many participants stranded.

Despite the challenges, the Burning Man community is known for its resilience and creativity. Festival-goers have found ways to adapt to the rain and continue to enjoy the event.

How are people getting out?

People are struggling to get out of the Burning Man festival after heavy rain turned the roads into impassable mud.

Motorized traffic is prohibited at the festival, so people are having to walk, hitchhike, or catch rides. Many people are walking barefoot or with plastic bags on their feet to protect themselves from the mud.

Organizers are discouraging people from trying to reach County Road 34, due to heavy traffic from the exodus. They are urging people to conserve their food and water and to stay put until the roads are clear.

A few people have managed to get out by walking to the nearest town or by catching rides. Celebrity DJ Diplo posted a video to Instagram showing him and comedian Chris Rock riding in the back of a fan’s pick-up truck. He said they walked 10 kilometers (6 miles) through the mud before hitching a ride.

The situation is still evolving, and it is unclear how long it will take for everyone to get out of the festival.

What happened to those stranded?

The Burning Man community is resilient. Despite the muddy conditions, many people are making the best of it and having a positive experience.

Some people have posted selfies of themselves covered in mud, dancing or splashing in the makeshift lakes. Organizer Theresa Galeani said that she has not seen any negativity or rough times.

The Burning Man community is known for its creativity and sense of humor. In the face of adversity, they are finding ways to laugh and have fun. This is a testament to the strength and resilience of the community.