In the last 2 years in Seattle I have been:

1) Stuck without electricity and blocked in at home by downed trees for 7 days straight.

2) Flooded out of getting home for 48 hours.

3) Snowed in on a mountain for three days unexpectedly.

That said I have benefited greatly from this site and thank you to all for great input.

Do you have any similar experiences?

CO

how did it take 7 days for the tree to get removed?

after reading this, I think I'm not carrying enough stuff!

I certainly don't think it is silly.
I have been stranded by snow storms, forest fires and floods a few times.
Power outages, yup.
I don't know if they even qualify as emergencies anymore. I think they are normal events.

I have seen lost kids, a few serious accidents and a house fire or two happen to other people. I have been in one serious accident where I was hurt.
Those events qualify as emergencies to me.

Yes to first aid training, basic camping skills and small emergency kit.
Yes to having a well stocked pantry.

A week of ice storms, extreme cold and rolling blackouts.

Camping gear came in handy -- especially sleeping bags.

Absolutely nothing.

1) week without power due to hurricane Ike
2) DW trapped overnight at work due to flooding
3) didn't have to fight crowds for stuff before hurricane Rita

-Blast

1) Power outtages: longest 7 days, 2-3 times one+ days, numerous shorter.
2) Trapped by snow ice: 3 times at work, twice in my car due to stopped/snarled traffic(once for 6 hours, another time for 8).
3) Caught at college dorm by major riot in city.
4) All took place in a major urban and suburban area (D.C.)

Some two or three power outages (including one that left my whole campus in the dark for days), a relatively brief yet highly unpleasant trip through local bush, nation-wide water poisoning scare.

Not much.

• Caught at the college due to snow.
• Snowed in at home for a week due to several feet of snow.
• Unable to get home due to flash flooding of a creek.

None of these were really serious issues tho. Still had electricity and sources of food. For the last one, just had to wait a bit for the water to go down so the road was cleared. Had other places I could go to tho.

My parent's always kept a good stock of food in the house. I do the same thing now.

Nope--all quiet around here..lets see--power went off for a few hours when on a sunny afternoon a rotten tree branch at the end of the block fell on the power lines..about ten years ago i had a slow drive home in a snow storm--nothing really on canoe trips,just pulled off the lake when afternoon thunderstorms came thru or shelter in camp..but thats why i moved to the Midwest when i got out of the Army in 1969--the three "C's"--clean,calm,canoe---

Nothing major since I've started down the route to preparedness a little while back. Power outages have never really bothered me, my flashlight is just a little closer nowadays than in the past.

Thus far my BOB/SHTF bag (kept in whatever vehicle I'm traveling in) and EDC items have come in handy mostly for small things, but I know I'm pretty prepared for bigger things as well.

Nothing major or life threatening here. Just some blackouts caused by storms, and the "Great Blackout" of 2003. In the new house I've got a little cubbyhole dedicated for lights and batteries, until I decide something better to do with it.

Just the usual for south Florida...out of power (for up to several weeks) multiple times due to various hurricanes, proper planning reduced impact of extremely long gas lines and loss of utility power & water caused by the storms.

Helped neighbors, family and friends deal with windstorm damage to houses and neighborhood cleanup efforts.

Several times was stuck on the Florida Turnpike heading home due to various sports events held at the Joe Robbie / Pro Player Stadium (or what ever it is named this year) as well as traffic accidents preventing traffic flow with no exit in sight for several hours in one case. Had several books to read while waiting (in my comfortable and portable folding chair) with water to drink and various food available in the vehicle. It was really great to be able to sit and relax while most other drivers were stressing out.

Have helped out various friends / family / co-workers over the years with many items from my assorted emergency kits on numerous ocassions,ranging from jump starts, flat tire issues, battery cleaning etc. to emergency repairs of ripped clothing, shoe repairs, bandaids, headache relief, loans of flashlights and the like.

Comanche7

Just a power outage for half day. Love that genset!

Most significant: weathering the recesssion. Thanks, Dave Ramsey!

Geez, I must live in a pretty quiet place... Some of you guys have real adventures where you live!

No but have got some great tips/tricks/gear ideas for my USAR bags.