‘Storm Area 51’ Event Only Draws a Few Dozen People, 2 Detained

(L-R) A screenshot of the Facebook event calling for a raid on Area 51 and a photo taken on March 12, 2000, showing a warning sign marking the boundary of Area 51, in Rachel, Nevada. (Dan Callister/Getty Images)

About 75 people showed up for the “Storm Area 51” event in Nevada, and at least two people were detained by local sheriff’s deputies early on Friday, Sept. 20.

According to ABC News, it’s not clear what the offenses were that led to the arrests. Meanwhile, nobody made it past the first Area 51 gate.

However, about 100 people showed up along the back gate of the secret military installation early on Friday, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Review-Journal reported that around a dozen officers were stationed near the gate at around 3 a.m. local time.

Gerard Ramalho, a reporter for News 3 Las Vegas, wrote on Twitter that a woman was detained when she attempted to enter the restricted area.

“One woman in her 20s tried to cross, but was detained,” he wrote.

The event went viral and 2 million people responded on Facebook, indicating that they would attend the ”Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us,” which was started by a college student.

People enter and exit the Alien Research Center in Hiko, Nevada on Sept. 18, 2019. AP Photo/John Locher

The nearby town of Rachel, Nevada, was attempting to get its own event underway, but it was “botched,” officials said.

“As of this writing the botched Alienstock event is in full swing in Rachel. If you can call it that. Instead of the expected 50,000+ visitors we see a few hundred. There are no food vendors and very little infrastructure or organization. Occasionally music can be heard from a makeshift stage on a dusty dirt lot. Some campers are parked all over town and the surrounding public land. Not surprisingly this has turned into a Fyre Fest 2.0. Those still visiting should be prepared to be completely self contained for food, water, gas and a place to sleep. There are no services in Rachel besides the local bar,” said the town’s official website on Friday.

The town also warned people to stay away from Rachel’s residential area.

This July 19, 2014, photo shows the Alien Center souvenir shop and restaurant near a junction that leads to Area 51, at Amergosa Valley, Nevada. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

“Local land owners will step up to protect their property. The nearby military installation will be guarded by Air Force security and by various local and federal law enforcement agencies. In order to keep curious visitors out of trouble law enforcement will block all access roads leading to the perimeter of the military base. Anyone trespassing in the restricted zone around Area 51 will be arrested. Do not go near the border, and absolutely do not cross the line,” the town warned.

It noted that “clear warning signs” are along major dirt roads and the border.

“In other areas orange posts mark the border. There is no fence,” it stated.

This photo taken on March 12, 2000, shows a warning sign marking the boundary of Area 51, in Rachel, Nevada. (Dan Callister/Getty Images)

George Harris, owner of the Alien Research Center, said that his event is going as planned in the town of Hiko, ABC News reported.

“‘Storming’ Area 51 started as a prank. We want everyone to be safe and enjoy their visit. Neither the Lincoln County Sheriff or the United States Military will tolerate any illegal activity,” Harris wrote on his website. “So, in simple terms, check yourself before you wreck yourself.”