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In Montgomery County, Tales of Hope Amid Powerlessness

By Michelle Durham

LOWER GWYNEDD, Pa. (CBS) -- Many residents of Montgomery County, Pa., are still without power, and for them, life is far from normal.

Lower Gwynedd township manager Larry Comunale (below right) says it's been a long three days so far.

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(Lower Gwynedd township manager Larry Comunale. Credit: Michelle Durham)

"It's pretty incredible, some of the scenes we've witnessed in the township," Comunale tells KYW Newsradio.  "Penllyn Pike and Twelleyn Avenue, trees down, poles down.  It's a picture that would be next to 'disaster' in Webster's Dictionary."

What have the last three days been like for township resident Marlene Oliveri?

"It's cold, and we want to cook!" she tells KYW Newsradio.  "We can't cook."

On the other side of town, life was slowly returning to normal for Stacy Frankel, who just got her power back on after days without.

"I was almost in tears when the alarm went off," she says.  "We had power!  And I really thought I was dreaming."

But she's mindful of so many friends and family who are still struggling without electricity.

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(Workers refuel a generator being used to temporarily power traffic lights in Montgomery County, Pa. after Hurricane Sandy. Credit: Michelle Durham)

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