I keep a crank flashlight in my truck and my wifes car. As you said 'buckeye' batteries die quick in the cold, but the crank flashlight has not let me down once in the two years I have had it. As for solar power, the thought is nice, but here in the U.P. of Michigan during winter I do not think it would work too well. But with technology advancing fast, they may develope a more sensitive solar panel that will work well up here on hunting/survival gear.

Katrina?
I don't think many think about how easy we could be without power.
Here in West TN. if the New Madrid faultline(spelling?) let go, predictions say most of Memphis will be in real bad shape, the Dams on the Tn, River could fail, Power plants, power lines, bridges, chemical plants, and the water supply all could fail. The last time it let go with a 6.0+ the Mississippi flowed backwards for two weeks filling up the newly formed Reelfoot lake. It could be real hard living real quick.
You should hear some of our cities leaders plans on dealing with these kinds of emergencies, you wouldn't beleave it.