While a lot of us have generators, you still need to wire it in (Iuse a double plug wire), and have gas. When the power goes out, the furnaces quit because of no blower. Most ovens won't light without a glow plug, you can light burners. We do have a wood stove, but a limited supply of wood. We have camping lanterns, and some old kerosene ones for power outs anyway. Summer, it is the fridge that needs to be considered. We were once out for 2 days when a box washed out.
Remember the old gravity furnaces? They were independant of electricity, and as long as the gas supply was OK you were too. I think some of the east, however uses fuel oil, so that may change the forumula. Bet a lot of people in the east wish for them right now.
I have wished for a small gas space heater, which I know would heat the whole house, small and square), but they will not meet the new codes, and I would have to vent a long way up in a 2 story. I guess I could adapt the stove to a burner, and that would solve the vent problem, except for keeping a 8" pipe warm enogh to work right.
