APTOPIX America 250 Independence Day Washington

Severe weather has disrupted celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary of independence in several East Coast cities. In Washington, storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall. President Donald Trump says he will still speak there later Saturday night. Elsewhere, severe weather prompted the cancellation of celebrations in Hartford, Connecticut, along with Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Spectators at Boston’s fireworks and concert were told to briefly seek shelter before events later resumed. An evacuation was also ordered in Philadelphia. New York and Pittsburgh moved forward with fireworks but shifted the time to accommodate the shifting weather. Anticipation for the milestone holiday has been building for much of the year.