Having lived in cities, suburbs,villages and remote areas in the UK and beyond I was astounded to read of the whinging few regarding the severe weather on the peninsula.......Why based on where they live were they not prepared?
For some of the local shops charging extra, so be it, at least they were open and providing a service,when others were not.
Re frozen food being wasted......cook it and refreeze or give some to neighbours or feed your pets or the squirrels, or birds, foxes etc.
As for compensation from the energy companies, good luck on that, perhaps any funding returned could be utilized for future reference towards establishing a community service to the elderly and infirm living in outlying area's when needed in the winters to come, if it doesn't exist already. Does the local council not provide anything on this front?
To end on a lighter note, my family remembers with great mirth the first time we were snowed in. Sitting 13 hundred ft above sea level. We woke up to 8ft feet high snowdrifts surrounding the house. On the 7th morning, my husband and a neighbour ventured out with sledges to the nearest village shop six miles away. When he returned in the dark minus the sledge! rather worse for wear due to thankful neighbours in providing a warm libation in lieu of fresh food supplied. This at every home coming up the hill to me at the top. My share of the booty was six eggs in one pocket and half a loaf in the other. When I asked what happened to the other half he responded he couldn't fit it in. Motto........Be prepared.