IMHO knowing that I would have at least 3 days worth of food and water would probably cut the tendency to panic in half.
I've lived in the north where I think most people knew to throw a sleeping bag and flash lights, emergency supplies in the back of their car before winter. Three days of emergency supplies shouldn't even have to be suggested. It is kind of amazing though ---once in the winter here where it doesn't get all that cold but it does drop down in the 20's, the power was out and there was worry about people living in apartments not having enough blankets, apparently they've grown that dependent.
When we lived in Alaska, we ALWAYS kept a box of survival gear in the car. We never drove anywhere without it. It consisted of food, hatchet, down comforters, extra boots and socks, mittens, hats, etc. Occasionally, during moose rut, we took a big gun, in case we had a boundary dispute with a bull moose. We also kept a box of tools and extra oil and a 2-gallon can of gas. Alaska's highways are long stretches of nothing but wilderness, so this was only prudent. Anybody who DIDN'T do these things was considered a Cheechako (greenhorn).
Somewhere I've heard the phrase "society is only five meals away from total chaos"....seems to fit here.