The iconic annual Burning Man festival in Nevada, United States, has become a nightmare for 80,000 revellers after a massive rainstorm forced organisers to shut the gates to stop everyone from leaving after a horrific unexpected weather system took hold.
The huge festival, which was originally founded on Baker Beach in San Francisco in 1986, is now known as one of the wildest camping events of the year and has attracted A-listers including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Will Smith.
This year, 80,000 people have forked out around £500 each on tickets to be part of the self-reliant community that builds Black Rock City – with the event kicking off on Sunday, August 27 and lasting until Monday, September 4.
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However, just two days before it is set to end, the gates have been locked and revellers forced to ration the food and drink they have with them.
According to the Reno Gazette Journal, the closures are expected to be “lengthy” due to a “slow-moving rainstorm” which has turned the normally desert area into one giant mud pit.
Organisers said:”No driving is permitted on playa except for emergency vehicles.
“If you are in (Black Rock City), please shelter in place and stay safe.
“If you are in BRC, conserve food and water, shelter in a warm space.”
According to AccuWeather, flood alerts are in place for the area until Sunday morning, with Sunday (September 3) looking drier, but with 47% chance of rain mid-afternoon for a few hours.
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Revellers were actually warned about the potentially volatile weather before booking.
A warning on the site states: “Weather on the playa is often violent and unpredictable.
“Dust storms, high winds, freezing temperatures, rain, we get it all out there.
“It’s impossible to be overly prepared when it comes to the elements.”
To make matters worse, the area has virtually zero mobile phone signal, with only a few of the organisers having access to satellite internet for weather updates.
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Partygoers, known as Burners, are expected to bring "all they need to survive" in the harsh desert where conditions are "often violent an unpredictable" and ice is the only thing sold in the temporary city.
If the mud pit allows for any form of movement by food, campers can take part in arts and craft events, yoga, meditation, and friendly ping pong tournaments – although the organisers have not yet made any comment on whether or not activities inside the rained-on temporary city have been cancelled.
No further comment has been made on when the gates will be re-opened.
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