Like Bev and Jerry, power outages are routine where I live also. Usually no big deal. Longest one, so far, has been 5 days and fortunately it occurred when there was a lot of snow on the ground to use for water, as we are on a well. Even so, it was a right pain in the ass, regardless of preparations. I like my conveniences, and its a hell of a lot of work to try to get by without them.      

What it did spur me to do, was to look seriously at 12V for back up lighting and consequently I have an ongoing love affair with white LEDs. (their power consumption is miniscule). We are installing a permanent circuit for emergency 12V lighting. I'm using white LED strips as regular undercounter lighting in the kitchen, with the use of a transformer, and the LED strips can also be switched over to 12V battery to double as emergency lighting, along with some in other strategic areas in the house. We now have two 12V/600 watt power pack/inverters, so we can also run a few 120V conveniences (such as the computer) on occasion too.

Still haven't solved the water problem yet. I'd like to install a deep well hand pump that will pressurize our water system in an emergency, which fits down beside our regular pump, but it's a little pricey. I'd like to keep the cost of our "alternate power consumption system" within reason and so far, most of the bits and pieces for it, have been deals from eBay. Economically, the total solution for us would be a gas generator, which we'd like to avoid.

White LEDs may only be a small bit in the grand scheme and it won't get us off the Grid, but as far as I'm concerned they have been one of the best little inventions since the bicycle..........off my soapbox for now.