Have you considered contacting the local news channel there? Sometimes having a story like that is suddenly realized as a
PR nightmare and maybe they just need to share in the nightmare that you are going through? I dont mean this in a hateful way,it may be the only way that they can find their "give a D@^^". Also you might want to start climbing the corporate ladder,until you find someone high enough up that cares.
Not only should they not charge you for your stay at all,but they should be putting you up in a room for a while to give you a chance to be there and not have to do this long distance.