https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_electromagnetic_pulse
Maybe someone should go read this and get some better understanding of the mechanics of an EMP befoer cramming all their radios in a ammo box or similar act to deal with the possibility of an EMP.
Short version is HF radios that have large wire antenna's attached will suffer the greatest damage. But simple surge suppressors will do a lot to protect that gear. A radio on a shelf being effected by an EMP would require a distance to the point of the blast close enough that the radio being damaged is probably the least of your worries.
That is IF the antenna is attached.
Storing them in a grounded metal box such as an ammo can , grounded metal clad fire safe is placing it in a farraday cage.
Typicall an emp will not permanently disable electronics, but only as long as the pulse lasts.
An emp bomb if its close enough to cause permanent damage to electronics will most likely be from the explosive instead of the emp pulse.
And if you happen to be that close your not going to be able to use the radio or the internet.
Radios damaged from emp? Not so much.
Computerized communications hardware wise again not so much.
But operations will be affected for a time until everything is reset.
And anyone who has restarted a computer( especially win hosed 10) knows it can take some time.
Its during that time frame that alternate destruction is possible from different sources.
Rural areas may be prepared for longer term than cities because its common to stock up on supplies rather than make multiple or daily trips to a market.
Communication wise however may only have one source ( land line phone)
Cell phone coverage is not a universal blanket.
So what else do they have to rely on?
If they happen to have amatuer radio
They do at least have a backup means to call for help if the phone system is out.
Not every disaster is about a nuclear emp.
There are many forms to consider.
Flooding, earthquake, forest fires, rolling blackouts, blizzards these are just natural ones that can affect communications networks.
Sabotage either physical or electronic can to varying degrees happen can also disrupt it.
The odds of the entire internet going down! Astronomically high.
Taking it out in a typical zone of a few towns.not so high.
Ive seen a tornado take out power and communications in a distance covering 3 neighboring towns.
So yes ham radios, frs, and cbs were all we had for a week.
You can be a skeptic all you want but until you've had to rely on something other than cellphones.
You wont know how good it is to have an alternate resource.