Head Trip festival in California evacuated as Tropical Storm Rachel nears
The Head Trip EDM music festival in Indio, California was canceled for Saturday nightas the National Weather Service warned of lightning in the area. The venue was evacuated around 9 p.m. and festival organizers
said around 9:30 p.m. that the day's performances were canceled for the rest of the evening. No updates were provided on the status of Sunday's planned performances.
"There is approaching severe weather," the Head Trip festival app warned. "The show is suspended. Exit the venue the way you entered and seek shelter in personal vehicles or shuttles. Stay tuned in the app for updates."
Tropical Storm Rachel headed toward California
The National Weather Service issued an "airport weather warning" for Palm Springs International Airport about 20 miles from the festival grounds around 9:10 p.m. Saturday due to the potential for cloud-to-ground lightning from 9:30 to 11 p.m. as thunderstorms moved into the area.
The storm,part of a broader system wracking Southern California ahead of Tropical Storm Rachel's landfall, is expected to move out after 11 p.m.
A wind advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday for the Coachella Valley. Gusts of 35 to 45 mph are expected and forecasters warned of downed tree limbs and potential power outages.
Stagecoach was evacuated, too, earlier in year
This is the second time a Goldenvoice music festival at the Empire Polo grounds in Indio has faced a weather suspension this year. The Stagecoach country music festival held at the same location in April also had weather woes as dangerous high-velocity winds and blowing sand forced an evacuation.
On Saturday, April 25, the middle day of the three-day festival, attendees were asked to evacuate the grounds at around 7:45 p.m. The exit was chaotic as festival-goers crammed through the exits to return to their cars. Most assumed the event was done for the night, but at around 8:40 p.m., the festival alerted concert-goers via its app that the concert would resume after all. The ground re-opened at 9 p.m.
Wind gusts of 55-65 mph were recorded that night.
The schedule was shuffled, and two of the primary acts scheduled for that night — Journey and Riley Green — did not end up performing at all. However, headliner Lainey Wilson's show did go off without a hitch.
Confusion reigned for many as mixed messaging from staff members led to some attendees leaving the grounds, having been told the event was cancelled for the night. Those that left were not allowed to return.
Will Head Trip continue on Sunday
The Head Trip festival was planned for Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11. While some Saturday night sets were canceled due to weather, there is no word as of 10 p.m. Saturday about the status of Sunday's sets.