With all the media talking about a comet approaching Earth, civil engineer John Garrity is more concerned with saving his crumbling marriage. Tonight they are scheduled to have a party with their neighbors, and while heading to the supermarket for groceries, John suddenly receives a presidential message that he and his family have been selected for rescue in a secret bunker. At first he doesn't pay much attention to it, but soon the shock wave from the collision of the first parts of the comet with the Earth reaches their quiet suburb, and all channels begin to broadcast horrifying images of destruction. After getting into the car with his wife and son under the bewildered stares of their neighbors, John hurries to the airport, where those who have received messages are boarding cargo planes.