Reaper's back.
We live in N Illinois, and while the winters have been getting more moderate we still get the odd -20F night or two. I remember ice storms knocking out power and then a rapid drop into the deep freeze a couple of times when I was a kid, so this isn't just academic. We always have sleeping bags, heat packs, water, food, flashlights, hats, gloves, etc. in a pack in the trunk and we have good, heavy car-camping sleeping bags for use in the house.
I've standardized on propane for my emergency cooking and heating. I have an unused dog house out back full of 20 lb propane cylinders and many cases of 1 pound cylinders in the garage. I also have a couple of adapters for using the 20 lb cylinders with units designed to use 1 lb cans.
For emergency space heating I have a Mr. Heater MH9B. We'll all be sleeping in the same room but we'll be warm.
MrHeater.jpg
From the promo literature:
* Runs for up to six hours on one disposable propane cylinder
* 4,000 or 9,000 BTU radiant propane heater
* Low-oxygen shutoff system operates automatically
* Designed for indoor/outdoor use
* Uses the standard 1-pound disposable propane cylinder
For lighting I have a couple of Coleman propane mantle lanterns, various flashlights (from Surefire L4, several G2s, Some really nice Sam's Club LED AAA jobbies, LED dive lights, etc. all AA, AAA or CR123A) and rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. Lots of CR123As. I also save unused but old vegetable oil (old stuff not rotated into use in time) for expedient oil lamps.
mugwump