One thing I’ve been accumulating are human-powered tools - drills, saws, hammers, sandpaper, etc. If the power ever goes out here, I’ve got tools that are not dependant on the power company or batteries to function.
I MIGHT draw the line at a chain saw; I just can’t find the two-handed kind.
A well-stocked pantry, rotated on a continual basis, makes for very sound sleep.
I’ve got a generator with a few extra jerry cans (with fuel stabilizer) and kerosene to power the hurricane lamps. (Yep, that’s what we call them in New England!) Buying a generator at the last second is rather pointless, since a generator without a Transfer Switch installed in the house isn’t good for much. (My Transfer Switch gives me back six of my circuit breakers when the generator is running. Furnace, water heater, refrigerator, coffee pot, etc. Every generator owner needs one.)
I was appalled to think that people were dumpster diving for food after only four days. Even if the story proved false, the possibility was there. What the hell did these people do during the days of warning before the storm? Ant and the Grasshopper.
You don’t need to be a whacko “doomsday” prepper to be prepared. Granted, I won’t be in very good shape in the event of a nuclear zombie apocalypse, but I can sure ride out a bad storm with subsequent power outage. In fact, we even put up a few relatives until the power was restored.