I'm a geek, so hams are fine with me, but sounds like you guys need to find a tech solution, and fast, because BPL appears to be one of those classic Very Good Things, and poised to take on the cable/DSL extortionists.
If it comes to a choice, guess which way it's going to go?
Ham Radio Operators to the Rescue After Katrina
Amateur radio networks help victims of the hurricane
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9228945/