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I think disaster planning and stockpiling is just part of being frugal. When gas is $4-$5 a gallon(let's face it, at least for part of the summer it probably will be) do you want to HAVE to go anywhere to buy anything? Probably not. So, what do you do? Stock up on your everyday stuff when it is on sale. Stock up on a few "I might need this" when it's free after rebate or on clearance. (For example Walgreens will often have over the counter reliefs of different kinds free after rebate. Why not pick them up? Do you really want to have to go to the drugstore when an outbreak of x is happening? Probably not.) Then, have a few more "disaster related" things around just in case. For me this means having a bunch of bottled water ($5 for a 48 pack at Sam's), at least one car with a full tank, and lots of batteries.

Also, have a plan. My "back ups" are my parents' house and my in-laws house -- both of them are easily within one tank of gas and both have "off grid" utilities of one type or another. Luckily here in MN we're not at risk for wildfires, hurricanes, or earthquakes. I think planning for planning for those is another task all together.