A crowd of Americans refused to let severe weather warnings stop them from celebrating at the Salute to America event in Washington, DC, on the Fourth of July.
Video footage from Salem News Channel showed the group dancing and partying on the street outside the event as thunder storms moved through the area:
BREAKING: Despite severe weather warnings, patriotic Americans are dancing in the streets of Washington DC during the Salute to America event pic.twitter.com/xyz
— Salem News Channel (@WatchSalemNews) July 4, 2026
Federal officials issued an evacuation alert Saturday evening while thousands of visitors were enjoying Fourth of July festivities on the National Mall, according to WUSA 9.
The National Mall reopened Saturday night after the weather-related evacuation interrupted Freedom 250 celebrations and the annual Salute to America fireworks program.
The fireworks display was the largest in American history — 40 minutes using 850,000 fireworks.
At 6:32 p.m., Freedom 250 said federal authorities asked guests to evacuate the event grounds and seek shelter inside nearby buildings.
Available shelter locations included the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service, VOA Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the African American Museum, and the Ronald Reagan Building.
EVACUATION ALERT: Federal authorities have asked guests to evacuate event grounds and seek shelter. Available locations include DOC, DOE, USDA, IRS, VOA, Jefferson Memorial, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, African American Museum, Reagan Building. Stay calm and follow law enforcement.
— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) July 4, 2026
The temperature in D.C. rose to 102 degrees on Saturday, breaking a Fourth of July record of 100 degrees set in 1919.
Event organizers said the National Mall would reopen at 9:45 p.m. The Salute to America celebration would proceed, with President Donald Trump scheduled to deliver remarks at 11 p.m., followed by the fireworks display.
Fox News’s Bret Baier said President Trump called him to say he was going to deliver his speech “no matter what” because America’s veterans went through “bad weather” on D-Day during World War II and he was not going to let bad weather stop him, either:
BREAKING: President Trump just called Bret Baier and said he's delivering his speech "no matter what" because America's veterans went through "bad weather" on D-Day and he won't let weather stop him either pic.twitter.com/xyz
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 4, 2026
A large crowd sheltering from the incoming weather inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture building began singing the National Anthem:
WATCH: Americans sheltering from storms inside USDA building break into National Anthem pic.twitter.com/xyz
— Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) July 4, 2026
Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said, “America, it’s time to celebrate.”
“Rain or shine, the American people deserve a celebration worthy of our nation’s historic 250th birthday. For 250 years, Americans have overcome every challenge with grit, resilience, and determination. A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism, or our celebration of the greatest nation in the history of the world.”
BREAKING: America 250 events in Washington, D.C., are being delayed due to severe weather. Officials are asking guests to evacuate the event grounds and seek temporary shelter. @America250 #america250 #freedom250 pic.twitter.com/Cfk5HTjjdJ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 4, 2026
