Whether you're smart enough to know we're going to have some wind and fires in SoCal (duhh) or it's about a healthy distrust of government (kind'a like "technology", "gov't" is not on your side), a good gearhead just needs a reason not to be the meat in the seat. A gearhead also needs a good soundtrack - how about some Monster Magnet, with drops from Pelham 1-2-3 (one of the best NYC-based caper movies ever made - it nails '70s NY atmosphere).
Take a dive - logic's fine: prepping for disaster is a badge of honor (plus, you get to keep your house and classic cars). You'll also avoid being one of the CA sheeple who 50 years of bad fire-prevention couldn't teach. May you broadcast in interesting times...