Some trick-or-treaters in P.E.I. will have to wait an extra night for Halloween festivities as Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning that heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit the Island on Friday.
Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford issued a joint statement Thursday morning advising that trick-or-treating would be postponed to Saturday due to the messy weather forecast.
“The safety of our young trick-or-treaters is our top priority,” the release said.
Summerside also announced trick-or-treating in that municipality would take place on Saturday due to the weather forecast.
All four municipalities said the 8 p.m. curfew would still apply on Saturday.
Environment Canada warns that rain and strong winds are expected beginning midday Friday and continuing into the evening, with gusts reaching 70 to 80 kilometers per hour and 30 to 40 millimetres of rainfall possible.
“There remains some uncertainty regarding where the heaviest rainfall will occur, and the potential exists for significant totals in some areas. Warnings may be required,” the special weather statement reads.
The weather is in part due to Hurricane Melissa, which crossed Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday after pummelling Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.
Elsewhere on P.E.I., both the Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations moved their trick-or-treating to Thursday ahead of the expected bad weather.
In its statement, Environment Canada advised Islanders to clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and other debris in advance of the rainfall, and to secure outdoor items like Halloween decorations and garbage bins so they don’t blow around in strong winds.
Some smaller communities on the Island announced plans to go ahead with trick-or-treating Friday, while others also postponed to Saturday. Residents can check with their local municipal council to confirm the plan in their community.
