HeadTrip festivalgoers arrive in Indio as rain, strong winds threaten weekend plans
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousands of music fans are making their way to the Empire Polo Club for the first-ever HeadTrip music festival, but the excitement comes as organizers and public safety officials prepare for potentially dangerous weather that could disrupt Sunday’s performances.
The two-day festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, bringing electronic dance music fans from across Southern California and beyond to the Coachella Valley.
While festivalgoers are arriving and setting up their campsites, heavy rain, strong winds, possible flooding and lightning are raising concerns about what conditions could look like during the second day of the event.
City of Indio officials met with Goldenvoice and public safety partners Friday to discuss contingency plans, including the possibility of delaying Sunday’s opening, adjusting performance times and evacuating the festival grounds if conditions become unsafe.
Organizers discuss possible schedule changesJim Curtis, Community Services Manager for the City of Indio, told News Channel 3 that officials had just completed a weather briefing to review potential impacts and determine what actions might be necessary.
“So yeah, so we just came out of a briefing with everybody talking about the weather, talking about what our actions could be,” Curtis said. “So there’s a lot of in place and a lot we don’t know yet, but we have a lot of things in contingency right now that hopefully will work if the rain does come at a certain time.”
Curtis said the timing of the storm will play a major role in determining whether festival operations need to change.
While some of the heaviest rain could arrive overnight, he said wet conditions could create problems for campsites and other areas of the festival grounds.
Officials have also discussed what would happen if storms affect Sunday’s scheduled opening or performances.
“And there’s certain curfew times that we have in place. And we might look at those curfew times and see maybe those might need adjusted,” Curtis explained. “We don’t really want to do that, and we don’t think we’re going to have to do that, but we’re going to have it in place just in case.”
Curtis added that if organizers cannot open the gates at the scheduled time Sunday, they may need to delay entry and adjust performers’ set times.
No changes to Sunday’s festival schedule had been confirmed to News Channel 3 as of Friday afternoon.
Lightning and electrical equipment among biggest concernsBeyond the potential for heavy rain and flooding, Curtis said lightning is one of the most significant safety concerns for organizers.
Festival officials begin tracking lightning when it is approximately 30 miles away. If lightning moves within roughly eight miles of the grounds, Curtis said officials begin determining whether an evacuation is necessary.
He explained that the festival’s large stage, elevated structures, lighting systems and electrical equipment all factor into safety planning.
“Yeah. It’s really it was really the rain because we have a lot of electrical equipment too. So we talked a lot about shutting things down so that they don’t they’re not sparking if we need to and spark a fire that we don’t want to have,” Curtis said.
Organizers are also drawing on lessons learned during severe weather at Stagecoach earlier this year.
Curtis said the city, Indio Police Department, Goldenvoice and other public safety agencies are coordinating their plans to make sure they can respond quickly if conditions deteriorate.
If an evacuation becomes necessary, attendees may be directed back to their vehicles while officials assess whether performances can resume.
Curtis emphasized that decisions will depend on the actual conditions and that attendees should follow instructions issued by festival staff and public safety officials.
Festivalgoers prepare for rain while setting up campDespite the concerning forecast, excitement remained high Friday as music fans arrived in Indio and prepared for the weekend.
Several attendees told News Channel 3 they were bringing additional supplies to prepare for both the desert heat and Sunday’s potential storms.
Katia, who traveled from Los Angeles with her fiancé, said they planned ahead by packing equipment to help protect their campsite from the elements.
“He brought tarps and like, anything that we might need, like for just for the rain and yeah, we have ponchos and everything,” she said.
The couple is camping at the festival and said they are excited to experience the event without having to leave the grounds between performances.
Riley Weinstein traveled from Orange County with friends for their first festival camping experience.
Weinstein said their group packed canopies, shade walls and fans to prepare for the heat, but they are hoping those supplies will also help them get through any rain.
“And then for the rain kind of the same thing and just, you know, get through it. It won’t be too bad, hopefully. Fingers crossed. But we’ll see,” Weinstein said.
Other festivalgoers expressed excitement about the lineup, including performances by Skrillex and Swedish House Mafia.
For many attendees, the opportunity to see their favorite artists is outweighing concerns about the forecast, although they acknowledged the importance of being prepared.
Police prepare for crowds, traffic and possible floodingThe Indio Police Department is also preparing for the influx of visitors and potential weather-related challenges.
Sergeant Abraham Plata told News Channel 3 on Friday that traffic was moving relatively smoothly as festivalgoers arrived.
Officers had observed some minor backups, but no major traffic problems had been reported at the time of the interview.
Plata said multiple law enforcement teams have been assigned to different areas of the festival, with officers stationed both inside and outside the grounds.
Police are reminding residents and visitors to expect delays near the Empire Polo Club and use alternate routes whenever possible.
Motorists should also plan around festival-related road closures, including areas of Avenue 50 and Avenue 52.
With heavy rain expected Sunday, Curtis said public works crews and police officers will also be watching for flooded roadways.
He noted that some streets east of the festival grounds can be especially vulnerable to flooding during heavy rain.
Shuttle transportation is another consideration. Curtis said drivers have been made aware of potential problem areas and alternative routes that could be used if flooding affects their normal paths.
Police are also encouraging festivalgoers to take basic precautions while attending the event.
“Stay with your group. Don’t split up. Try to keep you guys be able to track each other in case you get lost,” Plata said.
He also encouraged attendees to stay hydrated, look after their friends and immediately contact an officer or festival employee if someone experiences a medical emergency.
Plata said personnel wearing fluorescent green vests can help connect attendees with assistance.
Another weather meeting planned for Sunday morningCurtis said officials expect to meet again at approximately 11 a.m. Sunday to reassess the forecast and determine whether adjustments to festival operations are needed.
He said decisions about delays or other changes will likely depend on how the storm develops and when the heaviest rainfall is expected to arrive.
Organizers also plan to communicate important updates to attendees.
“I think it’s just mostly pay attention to the reports that come out,” Curtis said. “We’ll send messaging out to all of the attendees here, and we’ll have a message from the city of Indio, I’m sure, as well.”
Festivalgoers are encouraged to download the official HeadTrip app and enable notifications for weather-related updates.
For now, the festival remains scheduled to proceed, but city officials say safety will remain the top priority as the weather system approaches.
News Channel 3 will continue monitoring the forecast, possible schedule changes, traffic conditions and preparations at the Empire Polo Club throughout the weekend.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of HeadTrip and Sunday’s potential storm impacts.
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