Central California. Economically challenged in good times. Many, many folks on various forms of public assistance - which would likely shut down at least for a while in an emergency. We also have every ethnic group and language imaginable and that can be counted on to make communications an incredible mess.

Did I mention that budget crises at the state, county, and city level have rsulted in reduced emergency service personnel with more cuts on the way? Or that our county's medical care is ranked at the bottom of the state in terms of quality?

I am afraid a major emergency would result in demand far exceeding capability here.

My strategy: plan to not be in this town for long if there is a major problem. Hopefully I can get my parents onto my sailboat and cast off for a cruise independent of shore events for an extended time - perhaps until we have evacuated the emergency zone.