Burning Man attendees in northwestern Nevada's Black Rock Desert were advised to "shelter in place" and conserve food and water due to heavy rain. Movement in and out of Black Rock City has been halted, and driving is prohibited except for emergency vehicles. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the region, with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected to bring heavy rainfall. Attendees were urged to stay prepared for adverse weather conditions.
Increasing winds are causing dust storms at the Burning Man encampment in Black Rock City, Nevada, with conditions expected to worsen on Friday. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for gusts up to 40 mph, which can cause problems for outdoor activities and result in blowing dust. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are forecasted for Friday, along with cooler temperatures. The wet conditions have already delayed the construction of art installations and camp structures. Burning Man runs through Monday, with planned burns depending on the weather.
The gates to the Black Rock Desert, where the Burning Man festival is held, have been closed due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hilary. The nonprofit organization running the event has requested that staff and attendees delay their travel until at least Wednesday. The festival, which attracts about 70,000 attendees, is set to begin on Sunday. While some may face travel delays, the ultra-rich with private jets should still be able to attend.
