I consider the power failure to be a great "dry run" for the government's preparations, and mine.
Unfortunately, I'd have to flunk the government for what it did. Or didn't do. I mostly heard, on my crank-up radio, government and company officials pat themselves on the back for how well they were handling things.
Safe water was the most immediate problem, and they issued "boil water" warnings. As long as you had a non-electric source of heat, you were okay. But there were a lot of people out buying bottled water, and the National Guard "water buffaloes" never showed up.
I think this power failure just blew out of the water the official government doctrine of "three days of supplies, and by then we will pick you up and relocate you". Relocation works for a few hundred, or a few thousand. Any problem that affects 50 million people has to be solved while leaving people in place.
I had enough bottled water bought during the "duct tape scare" that I didn't have to go out and stand in line, trying to buy some. 35 half-liter bottles for $6 at Costco meant I could remain well-hydrated, and not have to burn up energy to boil it.
So the blackout convinced me that safe water is the most important item to have, and one should plan for a supply that will last considerably longer than 3 days. Bottled water is cheap, and doesn't take energy to make safe. Don't wait for the National Guard to deliver water to you.
Also, the larger the emergency, the longer it may take to rescue you. The government is doing a disservice by emphasizing the "three day supply". Think in terms of 30 days of water, food, heat, shelter, and weaponry, and you can face all the smaller emergencies with calm.
Thank you, Great Blackout of 2003.
... "three days of supplies, and by then we will pick you up and relocate you". Relocation works for a few hundred, or a few thousand. Any problem that affects 50 million people has to be solved while leaving people in place.