7. Use minor emergencies to prepare for the big ones.
We have had torrential rain the past few days - from dry to flooded. Fortunately, the house is well above the creek, and in good repair. We did lose power for the evening, though... Once we were satisfied that we were no imminent danger, sorted out all that we could, we could relax. I had had lots of practise camping, including hiking several hours into a camp site, so the idea of going without power wasn't at all a problem. Inconvenient, but not a problem.
8. It's too late after the event to prepare.
Once roads are impassible, and you're stuck at home (or wherever), what you have with you is it. You have to make do with what you have. I've spent almost a week in the aftermath dealing with people who want all sorts of equipment, who are buying it purely as a reflex action. I also heard of plenty of people buying perishable foods leading up to the power being lost...
9. You aren't prepared enough.
There will always be things that you suddenly find that you need. I have a modicum of respect for Mormons, and members of similar groups, who stock up with a year's worth of foods. Of course, you have to rotate everything - as in using the old stuff, not just turning cans around. What you need to do is try out survival techniques before you need to use them - a lesson that I had reinforced when I had to make a hobo's stove in order to boil some water.
10. Test everything when you get it.
There's no point stocking up on lots of equipment, only to find that five years down the track (when you are depending on it) that it doesn't work, or breaks easily, or has leaked. If you can go camping somewhere without all the luxuries, do so - you find out the difference between theory and practice very, very quickly. A small gas stove that I bought five years ago refused to light - and I had not tried it when I got it. My partner realised that there is a reason that I want camping and similar equipment, even though we do not go camping - and has conceded to me buying both small and large gas stoves, and a wood burning stove, and has changed her opinion of my interest in prepping.
11. Equipment needs to be maintained.
I have been considering getting a generator - but you have to have fuel, you have to maintain the engine. If you only need it one every year or two, are you going to remember to maintain it, or are you going to forget? Obviously, it's easier when it's something you can use a lot, and then make a few changes to re-purpose. My thought is solar panels, and use them to run an independently powered hydroponics system... or anything else that it would be useful for. Solar panels can be stored unused (again, after testing) for ages, however batteries do need to be maintained - they will lose charge, and will age.
12. Start a garden.
When you are running out of food, it's no good planting a few seeds to feed yourself. That garden has to be a going concern before it's needed. It's going to need time to grow and produce, you are hungry, and you are going to make mistakes. I know I mentioned this earlier, but that's how important a point it is. Basil and amaranth grow easily, as do chilli peppers. The trees that you plant might grow quickly, they might grow slowly, or they may die off - the time to plant and try growing them is when you can go out and get some more. Especially if you find something good that grows well in your area - you don't want to spend a lot of money to plant a dozen trees of a single variety to see how they'll go, you can always buy more if there are shops to buy them from...
I think that's all that I wanted to write at the moment...