Extreme heat and storms force evacuation of National Mall during US 250th Independence Day
A dangerous heat wave and severe thunderstorms forced the evacuation of Washington's National Mall and disrupted Independence Day events across the eastern United States on Saturday, as the nation marked 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
Heat wave grips eastern US
A prolonged heat wave brought record temperatures and high humidity to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on July 4, with the National Weather Service issuing extreme heat alerts for 30 states. Some 160 million people were under weather warnings, and forecasters warned of heat indices reaching 43°C in Washington. The agency described the conditions as "dangerous" and said the heat would persist through the weekend.
Washington celebrations disrupted
The morning parade on the National Mall, scheduled for 10:30 am, was canceled after organizers cited safety concerns. Freedom 250, the body coordinating the semiquincentennial events, also delayed afternoon activities at the Washington Monument to limit exposure. On Friday, the capital hit 38.9°C, the highest temperature ever recorded for that date, and emergency services treated 44 people for heat-related issues at the Great American State Fair, with a quarter hospitalized.
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Storms force evacuation
By evening, severe thunderstorms with frequent lightning and damaging wind gusts moved into the region. Authorities evacuated the National Mall, where the "Salute to America" program and the Great American State Fair were underway. Attendees were directed to shelter in nearby buildings. Freedom 250 announced that programming was postponed until conditions improved.
- Traditional parade on National Mall canceled due to heat risk.
- Afternoon events at Washington Monument delayed to reduce heat exposure.
- National Mall evacuated as thunderstorms approach; 'Salute to America' postponed.
- Boston Pops fireworks delayed after thunderstorm forces evacuation along Charles River.
Trump rally and fireworks under threat
President Donald Trump had planned a political rally on the Mall and what he called the world's largest fireworks display. Despite forecasts of 41°C, he vowed to proceed. "I'm going to go and give a very long speech, just to show I can do anything," he said earlier in the week. Meteorologists warned that thunderstorms could affect the evening speech and fireworks.
It's going to be about 41°C and I'm going to go and give a very long speech, just to show I can do anything.
Other cities affected
In Boston, thousands gathered along the Charles River were evacuated due to a thunderstorm, delaying the traditional Boston Pops fireworks. Philadelphia's commemorative events were also interrupted. New York City, expecting temperatures around 38°C, announced measures to prevent power grid overload as it hosted a naval and air show and the Macy's fireworks display.
