11.19am‘We will wait it out’: Trump says his speech will go ahead despite storm, no matter how lateBy Michael KoziolWashington: US President Donald Trump says the show will go on this evening – no matter how late. It’s not clear how security will manage tens of thousands of people trying to get back into the National Mall – after a few drinks, in all likelihood – but he says it will happen.“Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting!” the president said on Truth Social.“We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now.There was still a party mood outside the event, despite the postponement.Bloomberg“Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the ‘what’ usually turns out to be a good thing. It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight.11.15amWashington’s storm-interrupted July 4 event to resume, organisers sayBy Michael KoziolWashington: Organisers have announced that tonight’s event in the National Mall will resume.Freedom250 said that at President Donald Trump’s direction, the gates will reopen at 9.45pm, in about half an hour from now.He will then speak at 11pm and the fireworks will follow.“A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism, or our celebration of the greatest nation in the history of the world,” organisers said.11.08amThe party moves down Pennsylvania AvenueBy Michael KoziolWashington: The party has moved to Pennsylvania Avenue, the grand boulevard through Washington that links the Capitol and the White House.“DJ Tremor” has set up an impromptu gig outside the Willard Hotel where a few hundred people are dancing, waving American flags and doing the ubiquitous USA chant.One man got on the microphone and led the group in a prayer that everyone gets home safely.Rain has started spitting in Washington now, but it is not deterring anyone from keeping the party going.10.27amIn pictures: Weather spoils the party, but it just moves outsideBy People participate in a limbo contest as they wait for the National Mall to reopen after being evacuated.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisLaw enforcement officers herd attendees to evacuate out of the National Mall over weather fears.BloombergA US Secret Service officer orders people to evacuate.AP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaAudra Schmitt, a student from Philadelphia, waves a flag while dressed in a revolutionary costume as she waits for the National Mall to reopen.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisPeople wait for the National Mall to reopen.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais10.20amA storm won’t dampen the American mood to celebrate, even if it rains on Trump’s paradeBy Michael KoziolTens of thousands of people have poured out of the National Mall into the streets of downtown Washington, crowding all the nearby hotels, museums, bars and restaurants while they wait to see what happens with this evacuation order.The sun has just gone down – it’s after 8pm – and organisers are leaving the door open to festivities restarting tonight. But most people I’ve spoken to seem unlikely to return to the mall, even if the skies clear.Missy Gates, right, and her family travelled from Alabama to Washington for the 250th anniversary celebrations.Michael KoziolThat doesn’t mean they’re in bad spirits. Indeed, people are waving their flags, cheering, and taking videos of the military flyover – which has continued despite the weather.“We are thrilled to death to be here,” said Missy Gates, 57, from Alabama. “We were with like-minded people who love this country, who love our president and want the best for our country.”10.06amWatch: July 4th crowds ordered to evacuate National Mall due to stormy weatherBy 9.54am‘This is baloney’: Reports hundreds of people have refused to leave National MallBy Paul DyerThe New York Times says there are chaotic scenes on the National Mall. “Several hundred people have refused to leave despite an order to evacuate because of severe inclement weather that is approaching. Some are even arguing with Secret Service agents,” it reported.“At one point, a crowd of people began running back toward the stage. An officer is sternly repeating the order over a bullhorn and the crowd is booing. Many have begun chanting “USA, USA.”A US Park Police officer instructs attendees to evacuate due to incoming storms.Bloomberg“One federal law enforcement officer sought to assure people that the event had not been cancelled.”One man blamed the situation on “liberals in the weather service”.“I think this is baloney,” the Times reported him saying.Attendees evacuate the area.AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson9.22amWatch live: Storms threaten to spoil America’s partyBy 9.14amAnd now, weather chaos: National Mall event postponed due to stormBy Michael KoziolWashington: Police are telling us that the entire National Mall is being evacuated immediately. There is about to be a weather emergency.People are streaming out of the National Mall now. Screens inside the event say “EVENT POSTPONED”.“Due to severe weather, this event is postponed until weather passes, ” one reads. “Please proceed to the nearest exit”.Police are directing people to either go home or seek shelter in nearby hotels or museums.8.59am‘It’s packed’: Crowd chaos as people queue to get into National MallBy Michael KoziolWashington: It’s chaos where I am, just outside the National Mall. It seems most of the directions people were given were wrong – or have at been superseded by late changes.Streams of people looking to enter the grounds at 14th Street – which is where the emailed instructions told them to go – are being turned away because they don’t have a special guest lanyard.People waiting to enter the National Mall.AP Photo/Rahmat GulA volunteer from Freedom250 was telling people to go to 12th Street to cross through the exclusion zone and join the queue. But when they got there, they found it was blocked by law enforcement.The Secret Service is telling people they have to go all the way down to 3rd Street, 10 long blocks away. This being the US, there are no signs to tell people where to go, and no officials seem to know the right information.1 of 3