Burning Man crowds fleeing as weather chaos leaves people 'catching hypothermia'

02 September 2023 , 22:26

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Weather has wreaked havoc on this year's Burning Man Festival (Image: Reno Gazette Journal Video)

Burning Man festival-goers are said to be desperately trying to flee the Nevada desert campsite as drastic weather conditions are wreaking havoc on the iconic event.

The annual event's organisers have urged those inside to conserve their food and water supplies as vehicles have been halted from entering the site. However, some are urgently seeking warmth and bitter winds and torrential rainfall leaves a number of people in attendance at risk of hypothermia.

The event normally sees festival-goers bask in the glorious Nevada sunshine in Black Rock Desert, but this year is the polar opposite after the site has been turned into a mud bath.

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The drastic weather conditions are causing chaos (Reno Gazette Journal Video)

According to the Daily Mail, revellers have suffered hypothermia in recent days as the freezing conditions took hold of the annual event. And in an urgent statement given to the Mirror, the event's organisers revealed that despite people trying to exit, they simply can't.

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The statement read: "Due to heavy rain, the gate and airport in and out of Black Rock City at the Burning Man event will remain closed as of 9am Saturday 9/2. Ingress and egress are halted. No driving is permitted until the playa surface dries up, with the exception of emergency vehicles. Participants are encouraged to conserve food, water, and fuel, and shelter in a warm, safe space. We will keep the community informed on a regular basis."

Festival organisers issued a statement for the crowds (ShervinNatan/Twitter)

Chris Rock posted about the festival's toilets (chrisrock)

While panic is setting in with a number of attendees, others are trying to still ensure they enjoy the situation, with many joking it is now known as "Raining Man". On Twitter, one user shared a clip of the mud up passed their ankles, while others were seen attempting to dance in the cloggy conditions.

Comedian Chris Rock also tried to keep fans updated. However, his comments were less on the fun side and more and the disgusting. Sharing a snap of the port-a-loos, the comic said he had heard the toilet facilities were simply unable to be emptied due to the halting of traffic. "And because the gates are closed, people can't get in to fill generators or deliver supplies," he added.

He followed it up on a later Story with a video of the sodden ground with puddles of mud and footprints squelched into the surroundings. The build-up to this year's event was also at risk of the weather as Storm Hilary threatened to derail the festival before it even began.

Jamie Roberts