The entire town of Alpha is without power, and the community is pulling together to try and keep it "light" while in the dark.
"The plan is for everybody to stick together. Neighbors checking on neighbors, us firemen check on the elderly", said Jason Lambin of the Alpha Fire Department.
The power went out in the ice storm on Monday, December 28th and as of 4:30 pm the next day, the town was still without electricity. A fleet of Ameren trucks arrived just before noon to begin the restoration process.
Thousands of other customers in Mercer, Henry, Knox , and Peoria counties are also without power.
Andrea's Diner in Alpha was busy at lunchtime, with customers who had no way to cook their own meals. Owner Andrea Steines brought her generator from home to keep the restaurant open.
"I usually close at 1pm, but we are going to stay open because we know people don't have power," Steines said.
Some with generators were lucky enough to keep the heat going.
"I got heat, I got cold food, I can't cook anything, but I'm not going to lose anything", said Mark Atchison.
The Alpha Fire Department had its generator going and food prepared, in case residents were going to be in for another long night without power. It will also serve as a community warming center for anyone in town that needs shelter.