National Mall visitors evacuated from July 4 events due to severe storms

Visitors are being evacuated from July 4 event grounds on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as severe storms move through the area, according to officials.

The evacuation is taking place Saturday evening as Freedom 250, the National Park Service and other public safety agencies ask people at the event grounds, fireworks viewing areas and the FIFA Fan Zone, to leave outdoor areas and seek temporary shelter in nearby buildings.

“The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority,” Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement. She said the evacuation is being coordinated with the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, FEMA and other public safety partners.

The National Park Service also issued a weather evacuation alert for fireworks visitors, telling people to seek shelter and follow directions from park rangers, law enforcement officers and event staff.

Officials said available shelter locations include several federal buildings and museums near the National Mall, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, IRS, Voice of America Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Ronald Reagan Building.

Trump is scheduled to take the stage at the Lincoln Memorial at about 10 p.m. It is not immediately clear whether the weather evacuation will affect the schedule.