How does one prep for something like this. Assuming more than just a blackout would occur...

I'm buying a carton of smokes just in case.

Hold me

Shake a Weight with induction generator.

Candles, flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, canned food, cuddle buddy.

Interesting. Will this also take care of zombies?

May need more than one

If you can, get something like http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eton-american-red-cross-frx3-hand-turbine-am-fm-noaa-weather-radio/5064384.p?id=1218605826159&skuId=5064384.

You mean besides food and water?

Maglites would be good. There is a way to turn them into a Table Lamp so the can serve two purposes. Plus, the 4 and 6 D-Cell Maglites last a long time.

Tool kit (so you don't to have to look for the basics in the dark)

First Aid Kit (because your going to bump into something)

Battery powered radio that receives AM/FM and Shortwave
Candles

Matches

For several years, I used to lose power regularly (old pole, loosely mounted transformer, would blow the fuse on top of the pole).

I had two 12 volt car batteries, wired in parallel, that I kept on a trickle charge. I had a 750 watt inverter, a tiny TV, several LED lights, and a radio I hooked to the batteries. I also had a propane camp stove, and both propane and kerosene heaters. I kept at least 5 1 gallon jugs of water and a small supply of canned food that only needed to be heated.

This got me through 6 days of no power, in the winter, in relative comfort- plus many 12 hour to 2 day episodes during better weather. I now have a new pole and a new, firmly mounted transformer. I haven't had a problem in 4 years (unless the whole neighborhood goes dark).

Are we talking run-of-the-mill blackout or something more long-term sort of emergency preparedness setup?

Stuff in this thread will more than cover basic power outage as well as some longer term things. On top of those items, for more long-term, things like a propane-powered camp stove (with propane), a supply of canned goods (make sure to rotate out the cans so the stuffs stay fresh. Many cans have a long shelf life, others don't), toilet paper (you'll regret not having it), strike-anywhere matches (inside something waterproof), high-visibility jacket, strobe lights, a map of your local area, water filter, and water purification tablets. I'd recommend a hand-cranked radio over a battery-operated one. All that together and you'll be ready for the worst month of your life, should the need arise.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/24/eton-announces-boost-line-hand-crank-chargers/

I will prep by creating a bycicle generator! My idea works; in theory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHwJrLcDVQ8

Various firearms for pesky looters to svck the end of the barrel. A gasoline/diesel/naturalgas or propane generator. Enough fuel to keep it running for a while. Also you'd need the necessary components to keep the genset running as well.

Apparently Crayola crayons burn for ages. Good light source.

Also, have an axe for some firewood.

If you get candles, i got small ones in thick glass holders, the frosted glass helps radiate the light and also makes sure the candles isnt exposed to ignite anything. I have 2 maglite baton torches and 4 mini maglites, a large first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher, thankfully i have gas hot water and gas cooker.

Pretty much this stuff. I've had a lot of blackouts over the past month due to half of New South Wales being on fire, and I've quickly learned all of this stuff is essential. (And you should keep this stuff in the house at all times anyway)

I'll stock on batteries, or punch a hole in my bathroom wall. No blackout will interrupt my toilet reading!

Never forget the handcrank flashlights! Hell, I use mine all the time just because I can. I even have a little keychain sized one.

Will do. Love the avatar

Now that's survival

Buy cigarretes or tobacco for difficult or boring times when I feel that I need to burn my lungs and to trade with other people.

Also some booze as it's going to be really boring.

Mhm. Hand-cranked gear can always be recharged. Batteries always fail you when you least want them to.

I like the stuff they have at http://www.ccrane.com/lights/emergency-lighting/. I don't have any of the wind up stuff, but they have good electronics. I have a radio, wifi radio, and several LED flashlights.

edit- ...and a headlamp.

I use candle, flashlight and NVG's----oh yeah---I have a set of night vision goggles. They're mostly a toy from SpyNet with a 50ft visual range in pitch black but they work .

Choose your least-favourite family member. They will become your human cattle should food stocks run out.

ehh. I figure I could go at least a month without food. If that's the game I'm sure as hell not playing it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/us/as-worries-over-the-power-grid-rise-a-drill-will-simulate-a-knockout-blow.html

Edit: wrong link

Lots of cans of Spaghettios.