When your house loss power, land line phone and mobile handset not operational. Your shouts for help is not heard by your nearest neighbour. In such a situation, a walkie talkie would be very helpful to get your message across to your neighbour.

But for walkie talkie to work in time of disaster. Some preparations is necessary.
Pre-disaster
- distribute walkie talkie units to your immediate neighbour

During disaster
- monitor the network for any request for assistance
- set a specific time to do touch base daily during disaster

Post-disaster
- assist with recovery process

Advantages of walkie talkie
- free
- limited range (enough range to reach your neighbour)

I did not mentioned CB because it can easily communicate with another party 50miles. But may have problem reaching your intended neighbour that is 1 or 2 miles away from you.