After hurricanes and earthquakes, it appears that often the airports
become operable before highways and railroads for emergency supplies.

It seems to me that a reasonable (required?) part of ANY community
planning for emergencies in areas subject to these kinds of disasters
should be thoughtful location of a small airport with 1 runway and
plenty of area for parking while unloading.

Perhaps "thoughtful" combined with political action is an oxymoron,
however.