Across the US there are amatuer radio clubs whose members work tirelessly with HF and UHF and HF Internet communications during emergencies. These men and women were the unsung heroes in Katrina. When nothing else worked, they were there communicating all the way to Omaha, East Coast and West Coast passing on requirements and information. Locate the nearest club. Make discrete contact. They are US!!
My son is in the Civil Air Patrol. Every CAP unit has a short wave radio. Find the nearest unit (I think every county in the US has one) and get involved.