growing up poor we always had emergency items .. non perishables such as beans, rice, a few canned goods, mainly because when you live week to week on small paychecks you have to be prepared in case one week you dont get paid..
i live in a tornado prone area so i keep emergency water, canned goods etc just in case .. never know when something might happen and your stuck for a few days.
it only makes sense to keep a few things around, especially water because you never know when your city water might be contaminated for a few days. it doesnt take a disaster for that to happen.
so, even though i dont stock up in fear of the great T .. i do keep some things on hand.