Pots stacked for winter storage get caught in the early snow. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)  MORE PHOTOS

As the Press asked around this week, it became clear that many homeowners were prepared for the October snowstorm and the power outages that came with it, having learned a few lessons from the ice storm in 2008 and Hurricane Irene this August. Families took the storm warnings seriously, stocking up on food, flashlights, and water, especially water—if only flushing didn't use so much of it.

Candles, flashlights, Coleman stoves, outdoor grills, and the week's warm days helped many carry on with a "been-here-before" attitude.

An unfamiliar hum in neighborhoods and lights in windows were testaments to the fact that portable generators are more common than three years ago, at least at homes, if not in stores.

Tahanto Road resident John Frothingham set out for Lowe's early after the storm to find only one generator left, and one customer in front of him. Undeterred, he set up an inverter to draw power from his Lexus for lights and computers. The Frothinghams relied on a woodstove for heat, but couldn't save the refrigerator and freezer. Like many in Harvard, they will be cooking to salvage what they can when the power returns.

If there were prizes for being well-prepared, there would be a long list of candidates. Nat Beale and his family on Old Shirley Road would surely be on it.

When the power went out, Beale turned on his generator and flipped a switch wired to send power to targeted systems: the wood-fired burner, freezer, refrigerator, water pump, as well as lights and general purpose use. A woodstove in the living room gave additional heat. When the Press called, 10 of his son's friends were at the house, having heard there were hot showers. They stayed for cards and popcorn.

Although generators were furnishing some electricity, many residents didn't have internet access, which sent Bromfield seniors scrambling to meet Nov. 1 college application deadlines, which are now all submitted online.

Beth and Phil Wilson, who own Flintlock Farm in Still River, also learned from the 2008 event. They learned to get out of town.

"We checked into the Best Western in Concord," Beth Wilson said. "I have to get into work and am also traveling this week, and Phil works at home, so we needed the electricity…We'll rethink getting a generator."

The Wilsons' historic 400-year-old sycamore is still standing, minus several branches, but Wilson said they lost seven other trees, in addition to the six they lost to Irene in August.

"This was worse than the ice storm for us," she said.

However prepared people thought they were, it never seemed to be enough.

"The phones have been ringing off the hook," said Mitchell Stewart, a sales associate at Aubuchon Hardware in Littleton, describing customers in search for shovels, flashlights, D batteries, and anything to help stay warm. "It's been a very good market for chainsaws."

And was the store able to get supplies?

"We're expecting a new order when our warehouse gets its power back," Stewart said.