So, the main power lines are down. What services are still running?
Can calls be made from regular (non-cell) phone lines?

What about buildings/companies which use digital phone service?

Are all internet providers down, or do some/all have some form of battery/generator backups?

How are people getting news? Is shortwave radio the only source?

How long was water available in the taller buildings before the lines were drained?

What about small towns in the middle of nowhere? Are their phone lines up? Do they have any other way of getting news?

My job makes me travel a lot, luckily this website has really helped me be prepared. I'm ready for just about any class-4 or smaller huricane to hit my home here in Houston, but I never considered a situation like this blackout. I carry water, trailmix, flashlight(s), a small shortwave radio, FSK, and an Altoids PSK when I travel. But it never occured to me that I wouldn't be able to get into my hotel room because the power-locks were dead in a blackout!