The US experiences these situations regularly due to its somewhat unique exposure to a dizzying array of severe natural disasters.

Having survived an above average number of these in my life myself where basic services were down for many days, I have a pretty good idea of what happens. Having cash versus digital doesn’t matter. No one is keeping track, people just take care of people. Everyone writes it off, moves on, and the community becomes stronger.

This is pretty wired into the culture. No one will accept your money in these scenarios even if you have it.