Cyclone Gabrielle

[C_T_Russell]

11 as far as I know, lots of people still haven't phoned in or are uncontactable, but I don't think they are all dead, certainly not thousands.

I wonder what has happened to all the radio hams, once upon a time they would have been radioing back info, have people just lost interest in that hobby?

Even C.B. Citizens Band radios have a simplex range of 25 miles or so I believe.  Wonder why we are not hearing about and from them.

I heard on the news tonight that there have been several "rumors". I wouldn't be surprised if there is a hundred or so dead however, looked like the police were definitely concerned about the wellbeing of some of the unconcactable when interviewed.

In this day and age, you would think that communicating would be easy, even if services were disrupted.
CB radio is great but few use it, despite it being capable of reaching overseas . 
I keep a handheld uhf radio in my survival kit. All our family have them and we all know what channel to reach each other on if shtf.
They don't have the same range as a CB, buy they are convenient to have  and lightweight, there are repeaters around the country too that extend the range, ive printed a list to keep on hand and there are also local groups who help each other with training on their use in emergency situations. I had to get mine programmed with the channels when I got it, but it was only like 30 dollars off aliexpress.