According to my Cousin Bill who lives in Naples (yes, my REAL cousin!) - his generator burns 1 gallon of gasoline per hour. Where do people get the fuel when the electricity fails and gas stations are closed? My former neighbor here had a generator that ran, I think, on diesel. He fired it up after the Northridge Earthquake and it served him for a few days. Unfortunately we hated one another so I never got to partake of the electricity or even ask him the particulars of how efficient his device was.

Trees will grow back (spit a date seed into the ground and see what happens) - what is important is that your valuables, your memories, and the many comforts of your home remain. Sounds like you are, once again, Lucky Cousin Reggie.

Hey, just drill a hole in the bottom of that lake and let the excess water run out!!