This really isn't that hard. It starts simply, saving a little extra food that has a long shelf life. Then there is BOB (bug out bag), a duffle or backpack that contains clothes, food and other necessities for each person in the family. These should be stocked and stored in an easily accessible place. Think house fire: can you grab your bag and hit the door?
Then there is a family BOB. This one is the responsibility of the leader of the home. This one has more in depth supplies such as a firearm and ammo, A WATER FILTER and more food. A battery operated HAM radio is a good idea too. I hosted classes at my shop and a bunch of us sat for the licensing test (costs $5). I have had training in field medical response up to and including a suture kit (available at farm supply stores) and medications for anything from upset stomach to basic pain/ fever reducers. My medical bag contains a lot of useful stuff and is in a perpetual state of readiness. It has come in handy for little stuff at home from scorpion/ spider bites to minor cuts, scrapes and burns. I even have a new contact lens case and spare contacts in there. Shop the travel aisle at the store for small quantiy items for your kit.
The people on the east coast knew a week in advance the storm was coming. There was plenty they could have done, the most important would have been waterproof matches (or in my case a buttload of Bic lighters, I bought a card of them from the local gas station. That's the rack of them at the counter, 30 lighters in all) and a water filter. I have 3 of them, 2 PUR pitchers and a 12 ounce pump filter that is part of my hiking gear. I have 3 7 gallon water jugs I keep filled at home. You only have to buy those once and they are cheap. I have a few 5 gallon gas cans in my shed that are full and contain fuel stabilizer. Food is easy. We watch the sales and load up on packaged rice/ pasta sides and canned goods when they are on sale. I buy paper towels, TP and paper plates in bulk. I have two different locations, my home and my shop so supplies are spread out reducing the risk of total loss. You don't need an underground bunker or 20 years of food, you just need enough to survive a winter. If something serious happens this time of year you need to be able to survive until spring when your new garden starts producing. Where I live hunting is always an option, and having the supplies and practice in shooting and processing meat is a must. I've also got about 2 years worth of firewood cut and stacked, the wood burner at home is more than enough to keep us warm.
I suspect that "prepping" will become even more common now. It's not an all or nothing thing. I used to think these people were a little unglued, but there comes a point where you have to own it. Yeah, I'm that guy. I know people who are over the top with it, but it's all a matter of perspective. Some people might think I'm over the top, but I know a lot of people who are better prepared than I am. But emergencies are sometimes small. The end of last month business was a bit slow and cash was tight when it came time to pay the bills. But we cleared it just fine. We didn't have to grocery shop. I just went in to some of my stores and restocked the kitchen. I'll replace everything when the next sale hits. Dave Ramsey advocates an emergency fund of $1000 ($500 if you make less than $25K a year), it's not as difficult as you might think to save that. And of course, you have to know what rates as severe enough to tap that. We may have had to for groceries last week if I hadn't had that food stored, so every step you take makes you more prepared and more confident in your odds of survival. But don't forget the education. You have to know how to use this stuff. Take a field medical course. They are available thru CERT training, talk to your city hall about them. Most communities have them. Learn to build a fire. Learn to shoot. But maybe most important: simplify your life. There is nothing wrong with having cool stuff, but pay it all off. The lower your debt load the better off you are.
