Now that you have a general idea of what you are preparing for, you need to think about what you are planning for. A disturbing chunk of the culture and discussion around preparedness waste time, energy, and money planning for exceptionally unlikely events. This is a distraction and turns the rest of us away from wanting to be identified with 'preppers.'
So what should you prepare for, and how should you go about identifying those things?
First, review a resource like the US National Hazards Index and make a list of the major hazards for your specific location.To put a fine and overly obvious point on it, somebody in the mountains of Montana does not need to plan for tsunamis but does need to plan for winter weather and forest fires.
Next, adapt that list to your specific circumstances. For example, your county might not be high flood risk in aggregate. If your house is the one house below sea level and next to a river, maybe the county risk is not your risk.
While you are doing this, discuss with neighbors and review local community guidance to get a sense of other particulars, especially if you are not a native of your location. Are there major and/or recurring events you need to account for
Be expansive in your considerations. Some examples: - Do you live in a hunting area? Are you likely to have hunters and gunfire in close proximity? - Are you close to any major transportation routes that could bring hazards? For example, is there a rail line near by that transports hazardous material? Are you downwind of any industrial facilities? - Is your living area routinely the focus of mass public events, like concerts, protests, etc?
Take this list and reflect on your lifestyle, and the lifestyle of those you are planning for. Do you routinely travel? Are you driving, flying? How does this effect the hazards you are most concerned with?
Next, we will take this and do some basic risk analysis.