Skater, before you take the plunge and get a generator you need to decide what you are going to run and be sure you get a large enough generator to run it. If you can get by with one of the inverter type generators (the honda mentioned elsewhere in this thread) i would recommend that. It is small and quiet, your neighbors will appreciate it and most likely not even know you are running it. Also the inverter generators provide clean AC power and are more fuel efficient, the engine speed varies to match the load you are running, most of the non-inverter generators need to run at a constant 3600 rpm to make 60hz electricity.

If you use stabil remember that it is not forever, i have overhauled a number of carb's that were gunked up because someone put stabil in the fuel and left it there for a year or two. Read and follow the manufacturers recommendations for storage, most will recommend running it out of fuel. Since i live on the other coast i have some notice when a hurricane coming and can stock up on fuel, i haven't heard of 72 hour advance notice for an earthquake. You will need to store fuel, make a plan for rotating your fuel supply. Something simple like instead of going to the gas station and filling your vehicle, fill your vehicle from your reserves once every six to eight weeks and then go to the gas station and fill the now empty cans.

You will not have to run the generator 24/7 but be sure you run it enough. After the first hurricane blew through down here i didn't run the refrigerator enough to keep all of the food edible. And also explain to the household the rules of using the fridge when the power is out, it doesn't make cold when you don't hear the generator running.