An article at the Motley Fool provides tips and strategies for preparing as best you can for an unthinkable disaster:

Preparation is the best defense against the demons of nature and other unforeseen disasters. While a beekeeper’s suit or a personal bomb shelter might help you rest easily at night, there are more practical ways to protect your personal treasures.

Some of the tips I like include ways to preserve objects of sentimental value which you would not have time to grab should the worst occur.