Attendees were told to shelter in place in the Black Rock Desert and conserve food, water and fuel after a rainstorm swamped the area, forcing officials to halt any entering or leaving of the festival.
The remote area in northwest Nevada was hit with 2 to 3 months worth of rain — up to 0.8 inches — in just 24 hours between Friday and Saturday mornings. The heavy rainfall fell on dry desert grounds, whipping up thick, clay-like mud that festivalgoers say is too difficult to walk or bike through.
"More rain is expected over the next few days and conditions are not expected to improve enough to allow vehicles to enter the playa," the Bureau of Land Management said in a statement obtained by the Reno Gazette Journal.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said it’s investigating "a death which occurred during this rain event." Authorities did not publicly name the person or provide details on the circumstances of the death.
"The family has been notified and the death is under investigation," the sheriff’s office said in a late Saturday news release.
Authorities have not provided information on when roads could reopen, but the sunshine is expected to return Monday after more showers Sunday.
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