In the midst of this chaos, authorities are currently investigating one tragic death. The event, which drew an estimated 70,000 attendees, was left in disarray as the rain wreaked havoc, demolishing structures meant for dance parties, art installations, and other forms of entertainment.
Video footage captured by attendees showed costume-clad “burners” struggling through the wet, gray-brown terrain, with some improvising trash bags as makeshift boots. Meanwhile, numerous vehicles became trapped in the sludgy mess. As a result of the extreme conditions, all scheduled events at the counterculture festival had to be canceled.
Police officials have confirmed their ongoing investigation into a single fatality but have not released any further details at this time.
With road gates leading in and out of the Black Rock City venue closed off, some desperate festivalgoers embarked on arduous journeys on foot for hours, hoping to reach the nearest road and hitch a ride out of the quagmire. One such survivor, lawyer Neal Katyal, recounted his harrowing experience, describing it as a “slippery and treacherous six-mile (10-kilometer) hike at midnight through heavy, cement-like mud.” He advised that such conditions were perilous for solo hikers and that they were likely to worsen.
The festival attendees were urged to shelter in place, conserve their food and water supplies, and brace themselves for more rain in the forecast. Many reported that internet service was either unavailable or sporadic.
Chris Rock hitch-hiking
A video circulating on social media showed comedian Chris Rock hitching a ride in the back of a pickup truck with DJ Diplo after successfully escaping the muddy predicament.
Pershing County Sheriff’s Sergeant Nathan Carmichael acknowledged the difficulties posed by the sticky mud, explaining that it adhered to people and tires, making it extremely challenging to move vehicles. The majority of RV motorhomes were left stranded.
Festival organizers issued an advisory for attendees to “conserve food, water, and fuel and shelter in a warm, safe space” due to the “playa” (the vast open-air esplanade where the event takes place) becoming impassable. They also encouraged festivalgoers to help one another during this trying time.
One festival attendee, known only as Dr. T, expressed his intention to make the best out of the situation, saying, “I’m just going with the flow, meeting people, and making the best out of this difficult situation.” The California surgeon mentioned concerns about missing patient appointments but acknowledged there was little he could do at the moment. He emphasized that they had water and hope and were providing shelter to those in need.
Despite the challenging circumstances, organizers announced that the festival’s grand finale, the burning of “the Man,” was still scheduled for Sunday night, contingent upon the weather conditions. The event was initially set to conclude on Monday.
Organizers stressed that only four-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with all-terrain tires had any chance of moving. Anything less, they warned, would inevitably become stuck, potentially hampering the exodus from the event. They advised attendees that if necessary, they could walk to the nearest road, where buses would be available to transport them to Reno.
In response to the crisis, mobile cellphone trailers were deployed, and wireless internet access was made available to the public. Festival organizers assured the public that they had been fully prepared for such situations, having conducted tabletop drills for events like this.
A White House official confirmed that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation in the desert and urged event attendees to follow instructions from local authorities and event organizers.
