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Some Residents Without Power Spend Night At Red Cross Shelters

By David Madden

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (CBS) --  Peco predicts it may be a long while before everyone who lost power in yesterday morning's ice storm gets their service restored (see related story).

In the meantime, tens of thousands of people have been scrambling to cope with sub-freezing cold and no heat.

In Chester County, the Red Cross has opened several shelters.  More than a hundred people spent the night at the Lionville Middle School before a larger shelter opened at West Chester University.

Tim Marino of Downingtown, Pa. says he is trying to be patient with the power people.

"They said it could be all the way through the weekend, maybe a little longer," he noted this morning with a hint of resignation.  How does he cope with that possibility?

"I'm actually an arborist, so I'm out helping people with their trees," he told KYW Newsradio.

His wife Lucy admits she too is powerless to change things, so to speak.  But, she adds, "As long as I can have my dogs and kids with me, it's fine."

Many of these shelters are, in fact, pet friendly. But not all.  So check ahead if you're bringing a four-legged friend.

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