@FrostyJim

I spent over eight hours without power. You live in Alaska. Not me.

My down sleeping bag is in an outdoor shed with my camping and ski equipment. I thought about it. But it was deeply chilled.

It's dangerous to use a backpacking stove indoors. I cannot be around wood stoves. Smoke triggers my asthma.

@LiterateHiker - I always appreciate reminders like yours that show me how much I depend on modern technology for day to day survival. Thursday morning it was -4 F outside at my house and Sunday it might be near +40 F ? I just assumed that someone with your appreciation for safety and precaution on the trail would be prepared for such conditions at home also - loss of power for any reason is a real possibility any day - and you seem to have a good support group you can rely on when required such as having a neighbor you can share resources. Having a plan is always a good idea... My precautions are short term at best to get me through 1-3 days and your reminder shows me that you can never be too prepared - I always keep cold weather gear close inside and rely on state-local disaster relief in the case of a severe long term disaster - I live in earthquake and wildfire country so it is necessary to be prepared - and I can always do better.

@FrostyJim

We suffer from wildfires, too. I have a evacuation list handy.

@bigpawbullets

With the insulating capacity of a grasshopper, I was freezing.

I'm not a grumpy person.

@JackPedigo

What a scary story. Thank goodness people helped you.

@LiterateHiker We are called the 'Friendly Island' for a reason. lol

From the article:
WENATCHEE — A 19-year-old Malaga man is accused of fleeing the scene after crashing into a utility pole with a stolen truck and knocking out power to 500 Chelan County PUD customers.

Wow. Unpleasant.

It is said, that the water industry does not sell water, but just plastic bottles to put it in. I know this from personal experience, since though I do buy far less than the 30 litres per year average, maybe 4 or 5, a bottle every couple of months. I do occasionally buy it, usually when caught out on a journey far from home. I do however reuse and refill the bottles for the tap until they fall apart.

I do not think that for most people the water quality issue is the big thing, it is just convienience, the worlds habits have changed. Once everyone carried a flask, but how often do you see that now ? Now everyone buys bottled water, or coffee in once use cups.

I went through ten days without electricity in the middle of summer after a hurricane. It was awful.

A few years ago I woke up to a freezing house. Went to relight the pilot and found out I was out of propane. I had to go an entire weekend without heat at the coldest weekend of the year. Pretty much spent the entire time in bed with my electric bed pad.