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BumRushDaShow

(174,541 posts)
Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:31 PM Jul 4

Crowds ordered to evacuate National Mall area as stormy weather slams DC

Source: WJLA-TV Arlington, VA

Sat, July 4, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Updated Sat, July 4, 2026 at 7:16 PM


WASHINGTON (7News) — The thousands of people attending the Great American State Fair and other areas around the National Mall are being ordered to evacuate as stormy weather approaches.

The National Weather Service previously announced a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in the District. Officials are asking attendees to seek shelter.

The DC Homeland Security & Emergency Management released a list of places where the crowds can go to get out of the weather:

Federal Buildings:

  • Ronald Reagan Building - 100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
  • Dept. of Commerce - 1401 Constitution Ave NW
  • Dept. of Agriculture - 1400 Independence Dr SW
  • Dept. of Education - 400 Maryland Ave SW
  • Internal Revenue Service - 1111 Constitution Ave NW
  • Voice of America - 330 Independence Ave SW
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial - 16 E Basin Dr SW


  • Read more: https://wjla.com/news/local/crowds-ordered-to-evacuate-national-mall-area-as-stormy-weather-slams-dc-america-250-july-4-july-2026
    55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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    Crowds ordered to evacuate National Mall area as stormy weather slams DC (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jul 4 OP
    Old Testament smiting and wrath IronLionZion Jul 4 #1
    Oh absolutely Biblical - Old testament! PatSeg Jul 4 #26
    I posted this morning of upcoming severe storm warnings so DC had to have know. riversedge Jul 4 #2
    Don't people check the weather when going to such events? They've been calling for severe weather all week Deuxcents Jul 4 #3
    In DC that means you wouldn't leave the house from mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #6
    I go outside in the heat but have no interest in going to the MAGA state fair IronLionZion Jul 4 #13
    I'm in Florida and we're checking all the time just to be aware and stay safe. We're used to it, I guess Deuxcents Jul 4 #19
    Good. You stay safe! calimary Jul 4 #48
    It's that phrase they snuck in...in "the area". It is DC. A couple of hundred thousand people live Teacher of the Year Jul 4 #36
    What good would checking the forecast do? SergeStorms Jul 5 #52
    There was just a flyover by six large aircraft mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #4
    Temps have lowered? electric_blue68 Jul 4 #9
    By about twenty degrees. NT mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #17
    Excellent! electric_blue68 Jul 4 #20
    It's in the low 80s outside. Great time to reject the bourgeousie by opening windows. NT mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #28
    I live right under the flight path as they head towards the air show IronLionZion Jul 4 #15
    The big group of planes that went over just before the shutdown was called mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #22
    Nah, you didn't see any B-2s.......... lastlib Jul 4 #47
    B2 Spirit is kind of like John Cena IronLionZion Jul 5 #49
    Video if any DUers want to see the flyover from Youtube IronLionZion Jul 5 #54
    That was his entourage. 2 747's a KC135 2 C17's a couple of fighters and 2 B1's. They tried to make a run at the mall Cheezoholic Jul 4 #21
    The customary plane was the VC-25A with registration number 92-9000. mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #25
    I'm aware. AF1 anything the pres is in even if its a Cub. Qatari plane actually will have the AF designation VC25B Cheezoholic Jul 4 #27
    The Mid-Atlantic Mil Air group was kept busy this afternoon. mahatmakanejeeves Jul 4 #30
    Yeah, there was some interesting stuff going on lol. I'm an old ex pilot and have been to tons of airshows Cheezoholic Jul 4 #33
    That's how MAGA operates IronLionZion Jul 5 #51
    crowd now leaving. few seem to be in a hurry.......... riversedge Jul 4 #5
    Wow, there are actually people there? PatSeg Jul 4 #29
    I'm surprised at how many turned out. wnylib Jul 4 #35
    Me too, didn't see that coming PatSeg Jul 4 #40
    I think they came out for the fireworks just because that's traditional for the 4th.. wnylib Jul 4 #41
    This has been predicted for days on advance. Martin68 Jul 4 #46
    weather Map of D.C............... riversedge Jul 4 #7
    34m "Evacuate for your own safety". People, who've queued for hours to get into Donald Trump's "Salute to America" on t riversedge Jul 4 #8
    ...a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect through 10 PM ET. Meanwhile, a fascinating view of flight patterns can riversedge Jul 4 #10
    ...Camera operators and technicians cover their equipment due to thunderstorms in the area during the "Salute to America riversedge Jul 4 #11
    BREAKING: "For your safety, please back away from the stage" announcement as storm approaches Great American State Fair riversedge Jul 4 #18
    Womp womp purr-rat beauty Jul 4 #12
    The smartest man in every universe..... Lovie777 Jul 4 #14
    Bwahahahahahahahaha! 50 Shades Of Blue Jul 4 #16
    Best Post and Thread of the day !! doublethink Jul 4 #23
    Someone said they believed it was a weather channel hoax Keepthesoulalive Jul 4 #24
    Mother Nature is not playing around tonight PghTiny Jul 4 #31
    Gee, is God sending a message to his orange son???? Vinca Jul 4 #32
    So where is the divine power of Jesus Trump today? wnylib Jul 4 #37
    Where oh where will the tens of people go? Blue Owl Jul 4 #34
    Just gets better and better Warpy Jul 4 #38
    No doubt Mierda47 will fire whoever is in charge of the NWS, for not providing the perfect weather for July the 4th. n/t aggiesal Jul 4 #39
    They're supposedly letting them back in now. (nt) DET Jul 4 #42
    Also in the Twin Cities. question everything Jul 4 #43
    "thousands"? Must be that New Math. ColoringFool Jul 4 #44
    The Universe has spoken. Martin68 Jul 4 #45
    Odd... that list of buildings markbark Jul 5 #50
    That was my first thought BumRushDaShow Jul 5 #53
    The irony of MAGA having to seek shelter in the African American museum. LetMyPeopleVote Jul 5 #55

    IronLionZion

    (51,766 posts)
    1. Old Testament smiting and wrath
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:36 PM
    Jul 4

    it's God's will. This whole week has been Biblical.

    Or as MAGA likes to say, Antifa has secret weather controlling machines on top of their algae and paint cutting. Antifa stopped MAGA from visiting the great American state fair somehow. They're so diabolical like that.

    Deuxcents

    (28,539 posts)
    3. Don't people check the weather when going to such events? They've been calling for severe weather all week
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:39 PM
    Jul 4

    mahatmakanejeeves

    (71,923 posts)
    6. In DC that means you wouldn't leave the house from
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:42 PM
    Jul 4

    mid-May to October1. You go outside anyway, trying to get as much done as you can.

    Deuxcents

    (28,539 posts)
    19. I'm in Florida and we're checking all the time just to be aware and stay safe. We're used to it, I guess
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:13 PM
    Jul 4
    36. It's that phrase they snuck in...in "the area". It is DC. A couple of hundred thousand people live
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 09:10 PM
    Jul 4

    within a couple of mile radius of the White House. So they can say "thousands in the area" since, truthfully, that would be like 1 % of the population being out in their neighborhood.

    By adding in the local population, it doesn' sound quite so bad, does it? THOUSANDS!! People are evacuating because of the weather!! (a tiny handful of FAIRGOERS!!!! and THOUSANDS!!!! of local residents, who don't care because all the streets are blocked off and they can't go anywhere anyway.

    But, yeah, a handful of fairgoers were inconvenienced.

    SergeStorms

    (21,184 posts)
    52. What good would checking the forecast do?
    Sun Jul 5, 2026, 10:22 AM
    Jul 5

    When Antifa controls the weather?

    Trump imagined a glorious, cool, clear 4th of Trump celebration.

    It was hotter than the devil's crotch with electricity in the air.

    I guess that demonstrates who really has the power of the people, huh?

    mahatmakanejeeves

    (71,923 posts)
    4. There was just a flyover by six large aircraft
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:40 PM
    Jul 4

    and some smaller ones as well. There was a pair of B-1s included. The weather is getting to be a concern for aircraft operations. The crews want to stay out of the way.This is a good time to shut things down.

    The temperature is wonderful. I’ve opened some windows.

    electric_blue68

    (28,235 posts)
    9. Temps have lowered?
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:48 PM
    Jul 4

    Have a friend near by in Arlington and she was saying about 20+ mins ago she started hearing thunder.

    IronLionZion

    (51,766 posts)
    15. I live right under the flight path as they head towards the air show
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:10 PM
    Jul 4

    so it has been kind of cool seeing them from the air conditioned comfort of my home. I saw some B-2 Spirits and V22 Ospreys among other aircraft. Several Coast Guard planes and helicopters and a large civilian jet too. I just googled and that was the new Air Force One.

    The next planes on the schedule for tonight are the Golden Knights parachute jump and more B-1 Lancers doing an afterburner night pass.

    We also had several motorcades with lots of black SUVs pass by me today, including one just now as I'm typing this.

    mahatmakanejeeves

    (71,923 posts)
    22. The big group of planes that went over just before the shutdown was called
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:22 PM
    Jul 4

    went right over the parking structure that is situated over I-66 next to Washington-Lee High School. That's next to where I used to live. The planes had a straight shot from there to the Washington Monument. The B-1s went over at 324 knots at 1,725 feet. At least one other plane in the group went over at 1,200 feet. Friends of mine from the neighborhood were getting pictures.

    I wasn't going anywhere in that heat. I heard what turned out to be the Blue Angels going north to south over Alexandria on their way out of Dodge. I couldn't get outside in time to see them. Later, I was outside when the Thunderbirds came over, going east to west, turning north (clockwise) to go over Arlington and the Reflecting Pool.

    lastlib

    (29,000 posts)
    47. Nah, you didn't see any B-2s..........
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 10:30 PM
    Jul 4

    those are stealth planes, dontcha know?

    Would a frugal regime like drumpf's spend all that money to fly those babies in all the way from Missouri, just to do a flyover??

    IronLionZion

    (51,766 posts)
    49. B2 Spirit is kind of like John Cena
    Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:44 AM
    Jul 5


    The B1 Lancer afterburner right at the beginning of the fireworks was pretty cool to see. Blue and white chem trails flew right over top of me.

    Having active lightning all over the night sky while the fireworks show was going feels like a metaphor for something these days.

    Cheezoholic

    (4,263 posts)
    21. That was his entourage. 2 747's a KC135 2 C17's a couple of fighters and 2 B1's. They tried to make a run at the mall
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:21 PM
    Jul 4

    2 times then had to turn around for a cell that popped up just E of the mall. I'm surprised you didn't hear them breaking off. They were stuck just W of DC at 5kft for about 30 min waiting for that one cell to move then the first 747 (which was the customary AF1) made a pass but then another cell popped and his entourage with his fake AF1 had to break off, go back and circle again for maybe 10 min then they made a run at the mall at 500ft which I believe is absolutely insane right over neighborhoods. Then they exited to the E climbed out to 10k and another cell popped over Andrews so they were stuck holding for another 20-30 min until just now they are heading in with a weather window as more weather is moving in. It literally looked like the keystone cops on flight radar lol. He's over Point Lookout roughly now. My gut hurts I was laughing so hard.

    mahatmakanejeeves

    (71,923 posts)
    25. The customary plane was the VC-25A with registration number 92-9000.
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:28 PM
    Jul 4

    The Qatari plane has registration number 25-3200. 92-9000 made about a dozen circles over Oakton and Centreville at 3,000 ft.

    Cheezoholic

    (4,263 posts)
    27. I'm aware. AF1 anything the pres is in even if its a Cub. Qatari plane actually will have the AF designation VC25B
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:33 PM
    Jul 4

    The B for "bridge" aircraft until the new VC25A is done. Regardless, that flight path and sequence was in no way planned. If it was then the flight show boss was drunk lol.

    Cheezoholic

    (4,263 posts)
    33. Yeah, there was some interesting stuff going on lol. I'm an old ex pilot and have been to tons of airshows
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:57 PM
    Jul 4

    I wasn't there but as a distant observer as the evening went on and the inevitable schedule back log started, especially with a flyby every 10 min for over 7 hours (?wut?) and then the weather started coming in and storms started popping it sure looked and sounded a bit disorganized to say the least. Think the Oshkosh crew shoulda been called in lol. I mean that E to W flight path sure looked like it was right over neighborhoods. 747's at 500ft right over them with storms all over the place and chaotic outflow from them causing very unpredictable wind shear conditions? Flights running out of fuel? Maybe I'm wrong but that doesn't seem safe ESPECIALLY from the professional military. But then

    IronLionZion

    (51,766 posts)
    51. That's how MAGA operates
    Sun Jul 5, 2026, 10:09 AM
    Jul 5

    chaotic and disorganized

    Not much thought put into planning anything. "Move fast and break things"

    PatSeg

    (54,310 posts)
    29. Wow, there are actually people there?
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:35 PM
    Jul 4

    Not terribly smart ones though, considering the weather predictions.

    riversedge

    (82,597 posts)
    8. 34m "Evacuate for your own safety". People, who've queued for hours to get into Donald Trump's "Salute to America" on t
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:46 PM
    Jul 4

    Richard Gaisford
    @richardgaisford
    ·
    34m
    “Evacuate for your own safety”. People, who’ve queued for hours to get into Donald Trump’s “Salute to America” on the National Mall in Washington DC, have now been told to leave due to severe weather on the horizon.


    ?s=20

    riversedge

    (82,597 posts)
    10. ...a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect through 10 PM ET. Meanwhile, a fascinating view of flight patterns can
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:49 PM
    Jul 4


    Brian LaMarre
    @blamarre
    ·
    8m
    Strong thunderstorms are approaching the D.C metro area and a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect through 10 PM ET. Meanwhile, a fascinating view of flight patterns can be seen of the military aircraft show across the area.



    ?s=20

    riversedge

    (82,597 posts)
    11. ...Camera operators and technicians cover their equipment due to thunderstorms in the area during the "Salute to America
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 07:52 PM
    Jul 4




    Camera operators and technicians cover their equipment due to thunderstorms in the area during the "Salute to America" Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2026.


    https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/july-4th-america-250-birthday/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&linkId=974764786


    riversedge

    (82,597 posts)
    18. BREAKING: "For your safety, please back away from the stage" announcement as storm approaches Great American State Fair
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:12 PM
    Jul 4



    ?s=20


    BREAKING: "For your safety, please back away from the stage" announcement as storm approaches Great American State Fair in Washington DC during #America250 celebration.



    ?s=20

    Keepthesoulalive

    (2,527 posts)
    24. Someone said they believed it was a weather channel hoax
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:27 PM
    Jul 4

    I call these type of storms heat storms. Trees were swaying , back to back lightning strikes and heavy downpours. There is a deity and it was pissed.

    PghTiny

    (308 posts)
    31. Mother Nature is not playing around tonight
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 08:41 PM
    Jul 4

    Probably irked that so many Traitor Front boys showed up today.

    wnylib

    (27,112 posts)
    37. So where is the divine power of Jesus Trump today?
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 09:11 PM
    Jul 4

    Can't he make the storm go away?

    Maybe some pissed off Lakotas danced a storm toward DC in retaliation for the sacrilege of the Pedo's speech at Rushmore yesterday.

    Warpy

    (114,822 posts)
    38. Just gets better and better
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 09:14 PM
    Jul 4

    The one night that might have drawn crowds has a lot of them saying to hell with it and scurrying for the Metro, along with the idiotic news that fireworks wouldn't start until 11PM, far too late for the kiddies.

    Sad.

    aggiesal

    (11,083 posts)
    39. No doubt Mierda47 will fire whoever is in charge of the NWS, for not providing the perfect weather for July the 4th. n/t
    Sat Jul 4, 2026, 09:32 PM
    Jul 4

    markbark

    (1,637 posts)
    50. Odd... that list of buildings
    Sun Jul 5, 2026, 08:34 AM
    Jul 5

    (with the exception of the Jefferson Memorial) are inaccessible to anyone without a CAC or a RealID at a minimum.
    Are the PTB letting the great unwashed into the buildings without checking ID?

    BumRushDaShow

    (174,541 posts)
    53. That was my first thought
    Sun Jul 5, 2026, 10:38 AM
    Jul 5

    Weren't those buildings closed for the holidays or maybe had special hours during day (although not at that time of the evening)? All those buildings have guards so I expect this was a surprise.

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