Not to be an alarmist or anything.

I've always believed in hedging one's bets. I learned this from my grandmother who grew up during the depression. she always had a backup plan no matter what terrible things were happening..which were many.

Back during a severe ice storm in 2002 Her house was without power or heat for 6 weeks. Driving was treacherous and most of the stores and restaurants were without power as well. City services were non-existent because they were busy trying to take care of the people who were (ahem) perpetual victims of their own lack of planning.

She had a pile of firewood on hand and a bakers shelf full of canned and dried goods. She always bought a couple of cans or boxes extra when she went to the store. So for six weeks she huddled in front of the fire place and used it to warm her soup, vegetables, noodles etc.. Pretty good for a 78 year old woman living alone in the big city.

I pretty much do the same thing for my family. I buy a few extra cans of something that can be a meal in and of itself, ravioli, ramen noodles, chili etc..I also buy extra cans of fruit and vegetables. They can always be eaten and replaced gradually. I used to keep a couple of boxes of MREs on hand but my son loved them so much, that he wiped out my supply. Now MREs are going for over $150 for a case of 12 meals so I'm going to have to stick with canned goods.

Keep several gallon jugs of water in storage. They only cost 60 cents each and they might come in handy..I recommend replacing them every six months to avoid that plastic taste.

A small coleman 2 burner camp stove with a couple bottles of propane is another great thing to have. A popup tent and some sleeping bags are good as well. All rolled up these items don't take up much room in a car trunk.

I also keep a couple of bricks of .22 ammunition set aside as well as a case of 12 gauge bird hunting loads that don't get touched. Ammo kept cool and dry can last 100 years or more.

I remember stories my great uncle told me about the great depression where he and his little cousin would have to hunt up rabbits, squirrels and opossum to put meat on the table. This is in greater Kansas City area. I don't think it would have been practical for a family of 11 to stand in soup and bread lines.

I'm not sure if things are going to get as bad as all that, but I sure as hell don't want to be caught unprepared and have to bet my families lives on the such competent government agencies such as FEMA The Red Cross and the Obama youth brigades

Here are some other things I try to do in case of natural disaster or when civilized society might be going down the shitter. (a la New Orleans 05)

Always keep vehicles topped off with a full tank of gas, with extra 5 gallon Jerry cans of fuel set aside.

Keep a Bugout bag handy, with a knife, handgun, ammunition, fire starting materials, energy bars, bottles of water, space blankets, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, extra batteries, flares, spare socks and spare quantities of whatever medications might be needed. I just use an old duffle bag and keep it in the back of my closet.

If the shit does hit the fan and you and the family have to make like geese and get the flock out of dodge you will be glad you have a bag packed with some essentials.

Don't advertise to your neighbors that you keep firearms, food and water stored. You never know who you can trust when things break down.

I hope we don't end up needing any of these preparations and precautions but I'm not going to be caught without them.