Stagecoach festival evacuates crowd over 65 mph gusts, resumes at 9:30 p.m.

The Stagecoach Country Music Festival briefly cleared its grounds Saturday evening after wind gusts up to 65 mph struck the Coachella Valley, then resumed about 90 minutes later with revised set times, according to City News Service.

The shutdown illustrates how powerful desert wind events can disrupt major outdoor gatherings in the Coachella Valley; a Wind Advisory remained in effect through 11 a.m. Sunday, covering the festival's final day.

Screen warnings displayed inside the Empire Polo Club directed attendees to leave "quickly and calmly to the nearest exit" shortly after 8 p.m., City News Service reported. Performances stopped as organizers worked to secure the grounds against a National Weather Service Wind Advisory calling for sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts reaching 65 mph.

The festival posted updated set times around 9:30 p.m. with a brief caption: "Back in the saddle," according to City News Service.

Saturday headliner Lainey Wilson addressed fans after the all-clear. "These crazy winds ain't gonna stop us. I'll see you on stage at 10:30pm. Let's get fired up!!" Wilson said.

The Saturday lineup also included Journey, Little Big Town, Bush, Teddy Swims and Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters. Post Malone is scheduled to close the three-day, all-ages event Sunday.

The Wind Advisory for the Coachella Valley was set to remain active until 11 a.m. Sunday, with gusts up to 65 mph still possible overnight, City News Service reported.

The three-day, all-ages Stagecoach festival runs through Sunday at Empire Polo Club, 81800 51st Ave. in Indio, with the Wind Advisory set to expire at 11 a.m.