No matter where you live in the United States, you have the following "most likely" scenarios near where you live.

1. Weather Event. Flood, Freeze, Wind - whatever. The risk of natural hazards is by far the greatest threat you face in real life, and is the one that is easiest to plan for, because you know what can happen. All weather situations have the same basic threats - no electric, transportation and emergency services limited to non-existent, physical damage to your home or workplace.
2. Seismic Event. For the West coast, this is a known risk.
3. Wildfire - again a west coast thing.

Now let's look at the far less likely events that we worry about incessantly and far too much.

A) Major Chemical Leak. The nightmare scenario was Bhopal, India, with over 15,000 dead from a toxic gas cloud. But here in the USA, we're a bit more prepared. Here's what I mean:
Search the news for hazmat incidents .

You see? It's not that common - and when it does happen, it's highly localized.

B) Terrorist Attack. Did you know that in October 2001, more people were killed in highway accidents than in the September 11th Attacks?
Did you know that if you add up all the fatalities WORLDWIDE from terrorist attacks from January 1 2001 to July 10 2007, you have LESS PEOPLE KILLED than in just ONE AVERAGE YEAR in highway accidents in the USA (39,244 vs. about 44,000) See this link. . Yes, a terrorist attack is scary, yes, it's something that we need to think about. But you know what? I'd worry more about going to the hospital or ladders. .

C) Civil Unrest caused by (name your scenario).
Well, as I was born just before some of the most violent times in the USA social unrest with the nation's capital in dissary as well as other places. We all know about the Katrina Debacle. But what about the countless other things that were supposed to be happening in the moments when the proverbial you know what hit the fan? Over and over again, I see the majority of people working together to solve problems. Yes, things can get a bit scary at times, and no I don't like to think about what it will be like when a car bomb goes off in New York, especially if I'm there at the time. But I honestly have to say that I'm more concerned with the concept of "civil unrest" in terms of long-term economic problems caused by environmental changes that are happening now (why is not a subject for this forum). I have long ago come to the conclusion that fiscal preparedness is probably more critical than any bottled water or MRE's, because that's something that will be a real issue for all of us no matter what happens in the future. Being economically prepared for the future - ensuring you've saved enough, hedged against inflation and that you have managed your money means more than having a compass to find your way out of the woods.

If you want to really study a middle-class enconomy that has see not only the S hitting the F, but the aftermath, have a look at what happened in Argentina . For a darker, more pessimistic view of an economic and societal collapse, look at any of the former Soviet states.

Anyway, what I suggest - wear your seatbelt, slow down, cancel the pay tv services and put the money you would have spent on that into long-term investments.