When people talk about getting ready for disaster, two groups always come up — preppers and survivalists. At first glance, they seem alike: both value self-reliance and readiness when life takes a ...

There are so, so, so, so many scenarios for the apocalypse. Natural disasters: fires, floods, tornadoes. And man-made: biochemical accidents, wars, mass shootings. The stereotype of a prepper—borne of ...

Outdoor safety and camping gear for sale (left) at the Great Lakes Emergency Preparedness Expo in Imlay City, Mich., on Sept. 14; an attendee (right) looks at safety gear and other equipment for sale ...