BREAKING: A significant outage affecting Verizon and Xfinity wireless and internet customers in Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) has been confirmed, causing widespread disruption for both residential and business users. The outage commenced shortly before 4 p.m. on October 13, 2023, and continued until approximately 8:30 p.m., impacting areas from the Back Mountain to the Wyoming Valley and parts of Lackawanna County.
Residents reported significant problems with phone service, particularly with Verizon. Luzerne County 911 took to Facebook to announce, “We’re receiving reports of spotty phone service around the county, especially with Verizon and possibly other carriers. These issues are likely weather-related.”
In response, Xfinity informed its customers that the outages were tied to “severe weather in or around your area.” This disruption has critically affected local businesses’ operations, including credit card processing systems.
One such business, CK’s Cantina & Grill in Dallas, remained open but limited to cash transactions only. The restaurant posted on Facebook, “Our phones and internet are out but we’re still here and open for cash customers, so come see us!” This highlights the urgent impact on local commerce as businesses scramble to adapt.
As the situation unfolds, officials are urging residents to stay tuned for updates. The combination of severe weather and technical issues has left many in the dark, both literally and figuratively.
Residents are encouraged to check their service providers for updates and to use alternative methods for communication if necessary. The full extent of the outage’s impact is still being assessed, with local authorities working to restore service as quickly as possible.
Stay connected for further developments on this urgent situation that continues to affect the NEPA community.
