That stinks that you lost power, but at least you were prepared! I don’t have a generator, yet, but I really should invest in one (I do have a Coleman stove & fuel). I just know that it’ll be more expensive than the cost of the generator because I’m sure that any electrician worth their salt will recommend an upgrade to my electrical “system.”
In the 2008 ice storm, I ended up gettiing a new oil burner (insurance paid for most of it)- I had no power for days, and stayed with family, and we drained the water from the pipes before I left. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), the ancient, asbestos-covered, inefficient oil burner had a broken “low water” sensor, so when the power came back on, the oil burner fired up (empty of water), and cracked. When I returned home and turned the water back on, the boiler turned on, and the basement flooded up with hot, steamy water. So, I stayed with friends until the new boiler was installed (after some asbestos removal). It was quite an ordeal!
So, yes… I probably should pony up the $$ for a generator… especially because I live in an area that tends to get whacked whenever there is bad weather!