There is recovery service to help out in emergency situations with cars
I cannot count how many times services of this nature have been unavailable due to weather emergencies.
black outs don't last long
Long is relative. A 24-hour blackout that keeps you from getting where you need to go can feel like an eternity. If you need to get home to get the kids off the school bus, a delay of even an hour can be very challenging.
And if they don't have electricity, it is still not a problem - they somehow get a copy from your card and cash later.
That used to be the case in the USA but is no longer. Most places, if the power is out or the connection to the bank is down, plastic stops working and cash is king.