In 2005 (I think) I was out of power for about 37 hours. There was a storm that destroyed many power lines, I had a classmate who didn't get electricity back for weeks. Small blackouts were not uncommon then, but we have a small fireplace and a propane stove (otherwise it is electric). After that storm, many of the most exposed lines have been converted to underground and I have not had a blackout (even a small one) for a long time now (which I do find a bit boring, I liked going around in the completely dark streets).