For two years in a row in New Jersey, Halloween let off an extra spooky vibe – being canceled. On Halloween in 2011, most houses in the area were in the dark, and not for spooky Halloween reasons.
On October 28th in 2011, a large snowstorm known as “Snowtober” formed in northern Canada. Throughout the next few days, the cold fronts moved south towards the East Coast of the United States. In New Jersey, winter storm warnings were issued due to the freezing temperatures and the dangerous amounts of snowfall. During this storm, New Jersey broke records of most snowfall in the month of October, reaching 19 inches in West Milford.
With trees weighed down by thick piles of snow, which were looming over popular Halloween streets, Governor Chris Christie needed to take action. He decided to warn parents of downed power lines while trick-or-treating. Christie made a radio announcement, “The bottom line message, it’s dangerous, we’re in a state of emergency, so stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary” (Star-Ledger Staff). Following this statement, towns across New Jersey postponed Halloween festivities until further notice. On Halloween, many residents were still without power in snowy icy conditions.
After canceling Halloween in 2011, New Jersey residents were looking forward for Halloween 2012. Even though Halloween was eventually celebrated the year prior, everyone agrees October 31st is the true Halloween. Unfortunately, an evil curse struck again in 2012. Like the year prior, Halloween 2012 was canceled for those living in New Jersey due to weather conditions.
From October 22, 2012 through November 2, 2012 the deadliest and most devastating hurricane in the Atlantic region struck. It was the second most expensive natural disaster in the United States history, after Hurricane Katrina. Superstorm Sandy affected 24 states and resulted in a $65 billion check for damage repair for the United States. In New Jersey and New York, Superstorm Sandy damaged 650,000 homes, took the lives of 159 people, and left 8.5 million people without power.
Due to the dangerous winds reaching 80 mph and the 48,000 trees either falling or incredibly unsafe and unstable to be around, Governor Christy of New Jersey had to make a bold decision; “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday [October 24, 2012], signed an executive order postponing Halloween until Monday, Nov. 5” (Stenovec).
No one in New Jersey disagreed with the Governor’s decision; however, October 31st didn’t feel the same for most people in the area. Instead of being out trick-or-treating or dressing up at school, children in New Jersey were home, skipping the holiday again. Halloween was rescheduled for Monday, November 5, and children attempted to make it feel like October 31st.
Luckily, last year was a successful Halloween for all towns in New Jersey, with clear skies and temperatures reaching 66 degrees. So far, Halloween this year is looking promising for the trick-or-treaters. This year’s Halloween is expected to be mostly cloudy and 56 degrees. Stay safe this year while going out to celebrate Halloween!
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/new-jersey-halloween-postponed-chris-christie_n_2050148.html
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/gov_christie_declares_state_of_1.html