Hi Red Horse,
If your radio entry point is some level of "prepping", you might start with a few questions to help flesh out what works for you:
Who are you looking to listen to? You can listen to anyone with the right scanner or shortwave radio.
Who will you talk to? How far away are they?
How do you do this now? Text messaging can work when circuits are busy or in weak signal areas.
What are the most likely disaster scenarios in your area? In my area, wind and rain events (severe thunderstorms, tornados, and hurricanes) are most likely to affect us. Are you more concerned with natural disasters that take "the grid down" or are you envisioning "man-made" issues or TEOTWAWKI?
How much effort will you put into getting trained, licensed and proficient?
For me, my primary radio use is to run around outside (hike, kayak, fish, etc.) as well as I'm interested with technology. I use GMRS with my family (they have no interest in getting licensed for ham). Prepping is a secondary use for me. I have a Technicians license and am considering purchasing a HF rig and at some point upgrading to a General license.
For disasters, I will get information from AM/FM radio, text messages from our county services, local ARES nets, and conversations with GMRS users. My family is anywhere from 90 to 800 miles from me. For disaster planning, we don't have a full PACE plan but we will use: phone, email, and text messaging.
Radios for us will have only local tactical use. Honestly, I'm more concerned with access to drinking water and heat.
I think GMRS will likely give you the best local coms for the cost and effort, but it all depends!