Aurora – Many of the evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita who now call Colorado home have never driven in snow. Many haven’t even seen snow.
As overnight temperatures in Denver slipped into the 40s early Tuesday, it sent shivering Southern expatriates scrambling for an extra blanket.
“Freezing! Freezing!” is how 33-year-old Jose Hedman, formerly of New Orleans, described Tuesday’s weather. “The only thing was, I didn’t have any long johns to put on.”
He said he has seen snow just twice in his life.
Overnight temperatures this morning and Thursday are expected to be even colder, dipping into the 30s, according to the National Weather Service.
Hedman and other evacuees flocked to a warehouse off Peoria Street and Smith Road on Tuesday looking for various items – mostly winter clothes.
Karen Herdman, a spokeswoman with the Salvation Army, said local charities that have been helping hurricane victims have enough clothing, but volunteers are needed to help sort clothes and move furniture.
Lisa Jones, 28, a single parent, was at the Operation Safe Haven warehouse with her three children looking for blankets, jackets and warm pajamas. She also hoped to find earmuffs.
The kids – a 7-month-old, a 21-month-old and a 7-year-old – had sweat shirts when they arrived in Denver after fleeing Hurricane Rita but only sandals on their feet, Jones said.
“I’m not used to this, and they are definitely not used to this,” Jones said of Denver’s weather.
Still, 7-year-old Ashley’s eyes lit up at the prospect of snow: “I want to have a snowball fight.”
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-820-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
