I've got a 10,000 watt permanent stand-by generator that fires up automatically when the power goes out, and shuts itself off when the power is restored. Runs all the essentials including furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge & freezer, most of the lights and even a couple TV's and the puter. It has an installed trickle charger to keep the battery good and a warming blanket to keep it warm so it's always ready and I've got a 1500 litre propane tank to keep it fed.
When the power goes out I don't really even notice it except for the few seconds delay till the generator fires up and the way that wind is howling right now, today could be the day.
My stove & water heater are propane, plus I have a propane fireplace in the living room and downstairs in the family room, there's an airtight wood stove that will warm the whole house and there's 3 cords of dried & split harwood all set to go.
I spose we could all survive like our ancestors did on the praries 150 years ago, but when modern technology is readily available, I'll take warm and comfy any day