Some trick-or-treaters on PEI will have to wait one more night for Halloween festivities, as Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning that heavy rain and winds are expected to hit the island on Friday.
Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford issued a joint statement Thursday morning warning that trick-or-treating would be postponed until Saturday due to the messy weather forecast.
“The safety of our youth trick-or-treaters is our top priority,” the statement said.
Summerside also announced that trick-or-treating would be held in that municipality on Saturday due to the weather forecast.
The four municipalities said the 8pm curfew would still apply on Saturday.
Environment Canada warns that rain and strong winds are expected starting at noon on Friday and will continue into the evening, with gusts reaching between 70 and 80 kilometers per hour and possible rainfall between 30 and 40 millimeters.
“There remains some uncertainty as to where the heaviest rainfall will occur and there is the potential for significant totals in some areas. “Warnings may be necessary,” the special weather statement reads.
The weather is partly due to Hurricane Melissa, which crossed Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday after hitting Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded.
Elsewhere on PEI, both Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations moved their trick-or-treating to Thursday ahead of expected bad weather.
In its statement, Environment Canada recommended islanders clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and other debris before the rain, and secure outdoor items such as Halloween decorations and trash bins so they don’t move in strong winds.
Some smaller island communities announced plans to move forward with trick-or-treating on Friday, while others also postponed it until Saturday. Residents can check with their local municipal council to confirm the plan in their community.
