Social order needn't break down for people to need emergency stores. Power out after a hurricane or ice storm for two or more weeks, stores closed, some roads closed, drinking water hard to find, are scenarios that happen all too often. After H. Juan taught me a lesson, I keep several weeks stores cycling through my cupboards, plus extra drinking water, propane, camp fuel, charcoal, lamp oil(kerosene), batteries, one of those 'shake' flashlights, and I keep an eye on the status of the first aid kit.