Hard to believe, but it’s true. They have closed the gate due to rain (and hail).
BRC is closed thru tonight & possibly into tomorrow a.m. Cars being turned back @ Wadsworth. Cars also being turned around @ event entrance.
— Burning Man Project (@burningman) August 25, 2014
Rain on Playa. Gate Road currently shut down at the 8 mile entrance. Stop before you get to Gerlach if you can.
— Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) August 25, 2014
Now Burners are being asked to stay in Reno, and not go past Gerlach.
If you’re in Reno, please stay there until we let you know the Gate has reopened.
— Burning Man Project (@burningman) August 25, 2014
Gate Road unlikely to open anytime in the next 4 hours. Stay in Reno please.
— Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) August 25, 2014
Prior to the close, the wait was 2-3 hours from Wadsworth to 8 mile then 5-6 hours to get through the gate.
Rain on Playa. Try not to drive on wet playa. 2 hours Wadsworth to 8 Mile! Woo Hoo! Estimate 5-6 hours on Gate Road.
— Burning Man Traffic (@bmantraffic) August 25, 2014
Get updates from Twitter @bmantraffic @burnersdotme and listen live at BMIR and iHeartRadio.
We’ve been informed that the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno is offering a 50% room discount to Burners. Use code BURN14. Other hotels are also offering special deals for Burners, see here.
This UStream screen capture shows what the situation was like before they shut power down. BMIR kept transmitting for a while but they have gone off air too.
[Update 8/25/14 12:07PM]
Burner Paul is on the Playa and has an Internet connection. He sent the photo below. He says:
I’m here now and the storm is terrible…crazy loud thunder and non stop rain. Ive been unable to leave my tent for the last few hours lol!
[Update 8/25/14 12:54pm]
Official word from @burningman is the gate will be closed until at least midday Tuesday. We imagine the line to get in then will be rather long. Some estimates have 10,000 people currently in line at the gate.
https://twitter.com/burningman/status/503988750544666624
[Update 8/25/14 9:30pm]
Although there has been no word on the official Burning Man social media channels for 8-9 hours, BMIR let slip that the gate was open – then didn’t mention it again. Cars were seen on UStream driving into Black Rock City. A few Burners between Gerlach and the gate have reported that cars are now moving again. Peter Hirshberg told us:
“Gate is open. The road blocks are still in force, but being stood down town by town heading south. Here in empire we are being told that the highway patrol will give us the go signal within the hour. As the backlog clears, towns further south will open . We’re being told not to proceed until the highway patrol says go, Or “you’ll be turned back as a matter of policy” The whole thing looks pretty well coordinated between bmorg and law enforcement .”
[Update 8/26/14 10:31am}
Gates are open.
Airport will be open at noon today.
9 o’clock area of the city is full. There is still room available on the 3 o’clock side to camp.