It’s important to understand that the veneer of civilization is very thin in many places. Yes, there are heroic stories of neighbors coming together in the face of adversity, and those are to be admired, but there are many others where they turned on each other — in big, dangerous St. Louis and tiny, relatively safe Chattaroy.
As I can personally attest, you cannot predict how your neighbors will behave and you sure as heck be ready for it. So, go read.