You asked about the women in the photo wearing scarves.
From an article on danielpipes.org (probably appeared in NY Sun July 3, 07 ) the photo was captioned as follows :
Sitting in the audience at the Islamic Center on June 27, 2007, three senior Bush administration staffers wore makeshift hijabs: Fran Townsend (far left), Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, NSC Senior Director for European Affairs Judy Ansley (left), and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes (right).
Yes, even chemical or kinetic energy can be be related to mass change. I believe the term used is "mass defect" and for ordinary chemical reactions and speeds we experience the mass defect is extremely small.
Could they rent a generator temporarily while they work on getting line power restored ?
Also, many types of phones have a power plug that normally connects to a "wall wart" power module...these could be adapted to a battery pack with an appropriate power plug .
If there are FReepers in the area that are Amateur Radio operators try to contact them. Many times they will have emergency batteries, power adaptors etc. , ready to go and they may be able to get some of the phones and computers going quickly. I would be happy to help if I lived in that state.