Chicago. IL -- Dangerous weather led organizers to suspend Lollapalooza Saturday afternoon, but the festival will reopen once the storms pass. It will close at 10:30 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. to provide organizers flexibility in reconfiguring the schedule and allowing more artists to perform.
Festival-goers were evacuated from Grand Park and were directed by staff and the Chicago Police Department to pre-established underground evacuation and shelters sites along Michigan Avenue, according to a press release.
The three emergency evacuation shelters were the Grant Park North, Grant Park South and East Monroe Street Garages. All can be entered through vehicle entrances on Michigan Avenue.
Police spokesman Officer Darryl Baety says the festival was ordered shut down at 3:30 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are scheduled to play last on the main stage Saturday. The three-day event concludes Sunday and is sold out.
Shelby Meade, a spokeswoman for promoter C3 Presents, says the company regrets having to suspend the show, but that safety comes first.
Powerful winds from an advancing storm were responsible for last summer's deadly stage rigging collapse at the Indiana State Fair.
WBBM/CBS