Collating. Did I cover everything listed so far??
To be clear, I'm not as rural as some of you. Just in a hamlet in the country, no real grocery store, etc, but neighbours very near, not isolated, not on a well, etc. The outages have been caused by a fire to a transformer thing, and a crazy snowstorm. The wired phones were goners for 11 hours in this outage. Goldielocks: I do have a tent, thank you, though! :) I didn't list it because I didn't know it would be a helpful thing in these events. Now I do!
Communications
handheld ham radio, AA batteries
electronics - Uninterruptible Power Supply to navigate shifts in power
battery radio
car radio
Cooking
portable camp stove, dual fuel - use only outside
the bbqs that are just over there < + two 20lb tanks of propane
tea-lights can warm up a can of beans if needed (google hobo stove for variations on this)
6KW diesel generator that can run nearly the whole house; running off-road diesel is cheaper; diesel doesn't go stale
Sterno
install wood stove with flat top
Google rocket stove, get supplies in place including twigs/woodchips, cotton balls (for starter), matches, and an old pot
car lighter adapter to power simple appliances (e.g. an electric tea kettle) off your car engine, in a pinch. + a french press = coffee, + a hot water bottles = prewarmed sleeping bags
Light
old kerosene lamp (get the non-smelly oil)
camping lantern (dual fuel)
candles
lantern-style flashlight, lots of batteries
solar/hand cranked flashlight/radio that just sits on a window-sill all the time
Ambient Heat
car - for heat or charging things, get a 110V outlet to plug into the 12v outlet (store extra gasoline)
gas generator (7000w)
6KW diesel generator that can run nearly the whole house; running off-road diesel is cheaper; diesel doesn't go stale
Mr Heater Big Buddy propane heater
install wood stove (flat top for light cooking)
indoor-rated propane heater with a CO detector
sleep inside a tent, inside your house; your body heat will keep it warmer, or you can drape it with blankets
Prius ;)
top off your gas supply as soon as power goes out; everyone else will be doing the same thing!
kerosene heater (good heating, plus minimal can of bean warming); best if you can get kerosene at a gas station, the stuff in jars is too expensive for heating if you have another option
Food
wet sock for beer ;)
some canned food that doesn't need cooking, can opener
store outside if cold enough; inside snow if outdoors is warming
keep freezer full with plastic bottles of water to maintain temp longer
camping fridge that takes LPG or can run off your car (or both)
Water
(no tub)
gallon of water, per person, per day
water purification tablets - to get compromised water okay without using up fuel
to conventional water heater, attach a short hose to the flushing spigot, open 'er up [get a short hose]
Toilet
trowel
bucket with lid
+ hand sanitizer
Fun
neighbours
board games
pencils, paper
Questions:
1. If a toilet is not on a well/pump, is flushing still impacted by outages, etc? No, your flushing shouldn't be affected unless your pipes freeze. Thanks, Rural!
2. What is a ups (electronics)? Answered by deborah immediately below. Thanks, deborah!