(NECN/NBC News: Tracie Potts) - It was the Fourth of July, but no celebration for utility crews still trying to get the power back on after last weekend's storms, or firefighters trying to get wildfires under control.
Weather was affecting Independence Day celebrations coast to coast on Wednesday.
Earlier this morning the weather was pretty nice, but the forecast tells us Mother Nature's not done with the east coast.
Rehearsal for today's Capitol "Fourth" celebration was cut short due to approaching storms, leaving visitors hoping they'll see fireworks on Wednesday.
Local
"We came down here from New Jersey, and we are planning to go to the national mall," said Washington D.C. Visitor Kelly Post.
More than a million people across seven states and D.C. are still without power after last weekend's storms.
"I've had a lot of family from back home call me, "Hey are you all right? Everybody okay?" said Washington D.C. Visitor Peter Aranda.
Utilities say it could be Friday or later before everyone's back on. Residents aren't happy.
"Every time I call them over the last four days, they act as if it's the first time they've heard this information," said Takoma Park, MD Resident Maggy Sterner.
"We went out and bought a very expensive generator today," said Chicago, IL Resident, Shari Swanner.
The hot, humid weather isn't helping.
"It's very very very uncomfortable in the house," said Lynn Quarles Takoma Park, MD Resident.
Forecasters predicted triple-digit heat across the plains for Wednesday... plus thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail possible in the midwest and northeast.
It's hot out west, too - in Colorado and other states - where firefighters have been battling raging wildfires. Residents are thankful they're making progress.
Dry weather forced some areas to cancel today's fireworks.
A national celebration, amid a nationwide scorcher.
Copyright NECNMIGR - NECN
