That was me, I think -
Yes, communications means everything in an emergency. Where to go, where not to go, whether you really are on your own, what you need to do - all of that requires communications.
And since radios have come so far down in price, there's no excuse for not having them. Crank powered AM/FM for starters, handheld CB, and FRS/GMRS at *least* should be in everyone's go bag or kit.
Target recently had a set of four Motorola FRS/GMRS radios for $20 - two conventional sized, two about the size of a Zippo, all in one package! For $20!!!!
We have a portable cell phone tower & ground unit set up right outside our city hall. It is a self-contained unit and certainly could be deployed by a Chinook or 2. All you would need is microwave to link it to the grid. Emergency antennas could be deployed via those helium blimps or even repeater stations. We have the technology. I've seen current video of it rolling out on flatbeds (a local company makes military comm. equipment and I recognize the stuff).