Burning Man reveler is partying on as she says flooding has ‘weeded out the weak’ and plans to stay until Thursday as exodus sparks ‘unsafe’ 5-hour traffic jam in Nevada desert

A thirteen-time Burning Man veteran is one of those diehard partygoers who choose to party on instead of braving an “unsafe” five-hour traffic jam on a “narrow highway” from the Nevada desert.

Sarah Jane Woodall, 46, known to her online fan base as Wonderhussy, told DailyMail.com that torrential downpours that prompted many to leave – or even abandoned plans to go to the festival – had “wiped out the weak.”

The week-long experimental festival in northwestern Nevada ended Monday, prompting a mass exodus.

Massive crowds were still queuing Tuesday to leave the site in Black Rock City down a “narrow two-lane road” in 80-degree heat without any access to fresh drinking water, Woodall said.

The White House said President Biden was briefed on Saturday about the situation, which arose after a 32-year-old man died of causes “unrelated to the weather” and up to 75,000 people were trapped in the swampy desert.

Massive crowds were still queuing Tuesday to leave the Black Rock City property down a “narrow two-lane road” in 80-degree heat without any access to fresh drinking water, Woodall said.

A Burning Man contestant makes his way through the mud in Black Rock City

But Woodall said the horrific conditions actually enhanced the experience for many by “reducing attendance to just the hardcore, original survivors.”

“This is my thirteenth time and for me it was just what was needed,” she said.

“It’s a thing with veteran Burning Man goers that you get a little jaded, like ‘oh 13 times, it’s always the same, this is getting boring, why am I doing this every year?’

Woodall, who is called “Wonderhussy” online, offered a glimpse into the muddy desert

“I had those thoughts earlier this week and when it started to rain, the event completely changed for me.

“For me it made it one of the best I’ve had because it was so interesting and it also took out the weak.

Another complaint among Burners is, “Oh, these new people, they don’t understand the Burning Man culture, they only come on weekends, they think it’s Coachella, they’re half-hearted partiers”.

“Well, all those people left as soon as possible.”

Woodall outlined her plans to leave on Thursday, adding: “Leaving today would mean spending five hours in traffic.

“People are tired and stressed, so driving conditions are likely to be unsafe. It is a narrow two lane road that goes back and forth here.

“I don’t want to end up in that mess, so I’ve decided to stay and wait for most of the population to leave.”

The week-long experimental festival in northwestern Nevada ended Monday, prompting a mass exodus. (Pictured: The image of the ‘man’ burning at the festival on Monday)

As the freezing storms devastated the festival, some revelers are determined to keep the Burning Man spirit alive. Pictured: Chicago’s Shai Peza frolicking in the mud

Several cars got stuck in the mud as festival-goers tried to flee this weekend

She explained that thousands of diehard fans would stay on Tuesday night for the setting fire of a makeshift temple, so a second wave of departures is expected on Wednesday.

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that roads out of Burning Man were open again on Monday, but warned that the route is littered with “mud, soft spots and standing water.”

“The Burning Man Project is asking people to stay on the beaten path, follow all traffic rules and be patient with your fellow drivers, pedestrians and emergency responders,” the office warned.

Officials named the man who died Saturday during the festival as 32-year-old Leon Reece, adding that the weather hampered their response.

“Because of the unusual rainfall on the Playa, access to the area and investigation efforts have been delayed,” the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said.

A Burning Man visitor lies in the mud and water during the event

“Upon the arrival of the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the festival’s doctor had already pronounced the male subject, later identified as Leon Reece, a 32-year-old man, dead.”

He said an investigation is underway and a toxicology report is being conducted.