U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to commemorate America's 250th anniversary of independence with a rally on the National Mall were complicated on Saturday by severe storms that gathered near Washington, forcing event organizers to order an evacuation.

"Freedom 250 will share updates on programming and doors reopening," Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement that encouraged participants to seek shelter at museums and federal buildings near the National Mall.

Washington's metro system also said several of its underground stations were available for shelter.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/national-mall-evacuations-storm-trump-fourth-of-july-speech-9.7258943