congratulations, Maggie, you are prepared for emergencies & resourceful.

My battery radio is dead, & my phone is a stupid phone, besides the battery doesn't last long. I have 2 good torches & a couple of camping lights I kept after selling my camping gear (I prefer on-site vans & hotels these days for festivals!) & all use AAA batteries & I always have a good supply of them, but anything beyond a short blackout or a notifications of upcoming repairs to water pipes would be beyond me in my apartment on the edge of Sydney's CBD. I do have warm bedding & clothes, but we are more likely to need a bit of cool here.

Some years back I came home from a festival to a blackout, & as my neighbour only had tea lights, I lent her a torch & a camping light. The power was back later that night.

I've been looking at pics of snow in Texas & Greece & other freezing places, & hope life gets back to a comfortable level soon.

sandra