To me, having a generator is like having an insurance policy: It's a complete waste of money..............until you need it!! If you need it and you don't have one, you're not a happy camper.
Where we live in OH, our power goes out with some amount of regularity, not because of lightning but because of winds knocking down trees (or branches) which in turn takes out the above-ground power lines. We had a portable generator for our previous house here and have a permanent/automatic one installed at our current place.
It's all a matter of whatever makes you sleep well at night.
Bill
