If it wasn't for a generator they picked up in Palmerston North more than a week ago, life would be pretty gloomy for the King family.
Today will be their 10th day without power since the storm hit the region on March 3.
By all estimates, the earliest they will have full power service restored to their Tokomaru East Rd home is midday today.
But Tania King, husband Shane and their three young children aren't doing collective breath-holding.
The Kings' home is one of two that share a common power line about 3.5km along the road from its junction with Brunswick Rd. The storm brought down the line supplying both homes about 6am on Saturday.
"I tried to ring our electricity supplier, Genesis, soon after it happened but was told I'd have to ring back later, which I did," Mrs King said yesterday.
As a precaution, the family drove to Palmerston North on Sunday (March 4) and got a generator, which they have been using ever since.
"We've got three kids, aged five, four and two, so not having power is really tough," she said.
When they left for Palmerston North, they saw a Tenix service vehicle going up their road.
"We found out later that our neighbour had shown them exactly where the broken line had come down," Mrs King said.
Last Tuesday she called Genesis again and was told to expect the power back on that night.
"Nothing happened, so Shane rang Genesis on Wednesday and was told it would back on either by 6pm or 11pm," she said.
By the following Sunday they were still powerless.
With the next call, she said the call centre person told her that because the family had called more than twice their complaint had been deleted from the Genesis database. "That's when they told us the responsibility was with Powerco and not with them (Genesis). I was really angry by that stage," she said.
She said last Sunday a Tenix crew turned up again and was again shown by their neighbour where the broken line was.
"I rang Genesis and spoke to a supervisor about 3pm on Sunday, and she told me to expect to see someone there at 3pm. By 5pm no one had shown up, so I rang Genesis again. The supervisor was very apologetic and called back within 15 minutes to say the Tenix guys would be here soon.
"What really annoys me is Genesis' inaction. We've been left high and dry for nine days now," Mrs King said.
"All we want is an apology or at least an explanation from someone at Genesis why it has taken so long to get our situation sorted out," Mrs King said.
Late yesterday the Kings were told by Genesis that the power should be restored by midday today.
The Chronicle spoke to Genesis and asked for comment but none was provided before press time.