From an article by Mike Langner – K5MGR.
During the recent hurricane that ran through the South and especially hit western North Carolina hard, many traditional news services were just unavailable.
It was not merely power outages in places where auxiliary generators were not ready to operate, the power grid, the roads, and virtually all the infrastructure was destroyed. Entire radio stations were shown in video as the flood carried off the studio and transmitter. Mud slides and other damage literally wiped out entire towns. Nothing was left.
It was the Amateur Radio folks who were heard and helped direct the triage and other assistance for days.
This was important because, in the first days, not only was information hard to come by in many areas, but resources to aid survivors were severely limited, and it was critical to reach those in greatest danger as soon as possible.
Fortunately for many, Hams, as often called, volunteered whatever means they had to reach out and pass the word along to first responders and broadcasters. Some departments and radio stations kept the facilities manned 24/7. As area communications were slowly restored, the value of the ham community was evident and appreciated by almost everyone.
You can read the full text here:
https://www.thebdr.net/ham-radio-a-valuable-news-source-especially-during-emergencies/