Day Eleven with No Power

While thousands across the Ozarks are feeling relief Monday night, the frustration is building for those still sidelined by last week's winter storm.  In neighborhoods without power, people are counting the days.

"We lost power at 9:30 p.. on January 12th and we're just waiting," says Lori Parker

As the temperatures drop, so do finances.  "We've dipped into our budget and we're down to our last penny." says Parker.

Those in the cold say they're holding out, but wonder if hope will burn as long as the heat.  "All of us have been staying in the living room to keep warm." says Parker.

As neighbors watch others just blocks away get back online, they can't help but think of the comforts soon coming their way.

"I'll probably blow dry my hair," says Melissa Gargus of activities to complete when power comes back.

Until then, front porches continue to double as refrigerators.  "We have our meat in the cooler," Gargus explains.

And camping gear gets every day use.  "To heat food we use a camp stove," says Parker.

Those in the dark hope their wait is not in vain.  "We don't know how to get through, but just try," says Parker.

"You just got to roll with the punches," Gargus believes.

People KOLR10 News spoke to who are still waiting on power say they've transitioned from that every day hope to just banking on City Utilities statement of power being restored by the end of the week.

Meantime, many are feeling the financial strain from the storm.  One woman says it's been about $30 a day to keep kerosene in her heater.  Generators of course cost more than that.  Everyone KOLR10 News talked to on Monday said this storm has had a big financial impact.