Severe weather has hit the Houston area over the past two weeks, causing severe flooding, forcing people to be recused from their homes and even killing several others. The weather is not slowing down with more heavy rainfall due this weekend across the area and Austin's Levitation Festival noticed. Organizers canceled the event last night in anticipation of the hazardous weather conditions set to engulf the state's capitol.
In a note posted on Levitation's website, organizers explained why they had to cancel the festival.
"Due to safety concerns regarding dangerous weather, Levitation 2016 has been canceled. This decision is heartbreaking, but it's a decision officials have made for the safety of festival attendees, and safety is our first priority," they wrote.
"We've been working with county officials trying to find a way to carry on, but at this point the decision has been made, and it is beyond our control. The cancellation is due to dangerous weather conditions in the forecast combined with weather complications to the grounds and the Colorado River."
Levitation noted that there were weather concerns last year as well, but this year is different. "The difference between 2015 and 2016 is the severity of the storms being predicted, including high wind, large hail and tornado warnings, combined with high water levels from last week's flooding."
Former known as Austin Pysch Fest, the three-day festival was scheduled to have performances from the likes of Caribou, Flying Lotus, The Arcs, Courtney Barnett, Brian Wilson, Ween and Animal Collective. It was slated to take place at Carson Creek Ranch outside of Austin, Texas.
Despite the festival cancelation, they say they are trying to reschedule as many of the performances as possible in nearby clubs.
We’ll be working around the clock to book as many shows as we can at inside venues in downtown Austin this weekend, so stay tuned.
— LEVITATION (@LEVITATION) April 28, 2016
