Governor Healey Praises Emergency Crews After Sudden Boston Esplanade Evacuation

Mother Nature sure made her share of news over the Fourth of July weekend, especially in Boston, where thousands of revelers had to be evacuated on very short notice due to a severe weather threat.

Severe Thunderstorms Disrupt Holiday Celebrations

In much of the Northeast, the Fourth felt like a sauna due to dangerously high heat and humidity that caused thunderstorms from Washington, D.C., to New England.

Foul weather, or the threat of it, resulted in delays in Boston and D.C., though the show did go on in both locations, albeit a bit later than planned.

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Emergency Evacuation at the Charles River Esplanade

NBC 10 Boston reported, "Thousands of spectators had to evacuate the Charles River Esplanade right before the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular began as strong storms were moving across Massachusetts Saturday evening, but that didn't stop the show from eventually going on – just a little bit late."

"Around 6 p.m., organizers and state police ordered the Esplanade cleared as a series of powerful thunderstorms moved into the area," according to 7 News Boston.

Healey Praises Boston For July 4th Pre-Fireworks Evacuations

The station said the evacuation of tens of thousands of people to an underground tunnel and parking facility lasted only about 20 minutes before "many revelers were allowed to quickly return to the Hatch Shell for the show."

Officials Praise Swift Response by Emergency Crews

The station reported that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised the way emergency crews handled the evacuation. "They did an excellent job," Healey said. "All these people were able to safely get out, and now they're back... getting ready for the show."

NBC 10 Boston reported, "One of the difficulties of the emergency evacuation was the fact that Boston EMS had to bring stretchers out to help people who needed assistance leaving the premises as quickly as possible."

Once they were allowed to return following the brief evacuation, showgoers had to pass through security before reentering the Esplanade.