Anyone within a half day drive of a moderate to large population center is in for a world of hurt should the supply chain and law enforcement collapse for more than a few days.
Unexpected disasters like earthquakes are the most difficult to properly prepare for, especially to the city dwellers.
I sit and think what would happen if a tsunami were to be bound for the city I live on the outskirts of. Or rather what happened last time we actually had a warning issued. By time I discovered there was a warning all the roads to higher ground were in gridlock and the arterial roads were choked with traffic. If the wave had of reached us it would have been a very bad thing.
This got me to thinking. Prior to then most of my disaster planning revolved more around a societal collapse type of deal - where I assumed enough warning (lets say more than 6 hours) to load the truck up with the bug out boxes camping gear - hook the boat on and vamoose up the hill and out of town. Assumption being the mother of all ****ups as they say.
The only practical solution to this as I see it is to find a decent size chunk of dirt up in the bush and move there permanently. Modern technology makes it possible to continue my "job" from pretty much any place that gets a data link, and having a suitably remote piece of dirt means that one can maintain a much higher standard of living after the event by having already constructed shelter, and made provision for water and food. I actually like the lack of "civilization" and peace that comes with being in remote areas so it's really a win-win situation.
Going off the grid in this climate is something of a mixed blessing. Water we get lots of - 6 months a year. the other 6 nothing. Food - easy to produce year around but nearly impossible to store for any long period. Shelter - required only to keep the bugs and heat from sending you insane (or more so as the case may be).