I wonder if sat services like Starlink or Hughsnet are an option for remote/rural towns in this kind of scenario. Perhaps the phones are down but they could send IM/chat messages or emails or what have you. Maybe time to unroll a spool of string and get some tin cans hooked up.
FWIW, I've used Starlink in remote areas while overlanding with zero cellular and was able to make/recieve calls and even standard SMS. VZW by the way.
--- ~Randy (K6RP)
