BURNING MAN TAKES A SAD TURN (UPDATE)

UPDATE: Nevada's annual Burning Man gathering took a sad turn over the weekend. Per TMZ, the Pershing County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that one man is dead, possibly due to the heavy rains that have pelted the region. An investigation is ongoing.

The storms moved in on Saturday (9/2) and flooded the festival grounds, leading organizers to caution attendees to shelter in place. The gate and airport allowing access to Black Rock City were closed, and no driving was permitted on the playa aside from emergency vehicles.

Diplo and Chris Rock, who were among the celebrities in attendance, went to extreme measures to leave. Diplo said he walked five miles to escape. Their journey ultimately proceeded on the back of a truck.

As of 9am PT Sunday (9/3), organizers warn that the roads are still too wet and muddy to traverse. A weather front approaching Black Rock City could include more heavy rain, wind gusts of up to 40 mph and hail. The festival is scheduled through Monday (9/4). Stay up to date here.

The annual Burning Man gathering is currently underway in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, but things aren't exactly going according to plan; on Saturday (9/2) festival organizers warned attendees to shelter in place after heavy rains turned the area into a wet and muddy mess.

Event authorities also informed would-be attendees via X (formerly Twitter) that the gate and airport allowing access to Black Rock City remain closed. No driving is permitted on the playa aside from emergency vehicles. Organizers are encouraging everyone to conserve food, water and fuel. “Do not travel to Black Rock City!" another post read. "Access to the city is closed for the remainder of the event, and you will be turned around."

Founded in 1986, Burning Man draws tens of thousands of people to the Nevada desert (100 miles north-northeast of Reno) every year, including music-industry figures like Diddy and Katy Perry, among other celebrities. Despite its reputation as a drug-fueled orgy, attendees can learn how to spin fire, make jewelry or create sculpture. The main attraction, which takes place at the conclusion of the festival, is the burning of a large wooden man (hence, "Burning Man").

The makeshift metropolis is expecting more rain throughout Labor Day weekend. The festival began on 8/27 and is scheduled to continue through Monday (9/4).