Being prepared

I read an article in a magazine I subscribe to (a mainstream health magazine) that gave some suggestions for surviving during during a disaster. So... I have decided to start and try to be equipped in case something, anything happens (tornado, earthquake, etc, not to mention anything more serious, terrorist attack, war, whatever). It may be a little reactionary, but what's the harm in having hand crank radios and MREs on hand, the Mormons do, right?