URGENT UPDATE: A significant outage affecting both Verizon and Xfinity customers rocked northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) on October 20, 2023, creating widespread disruptions. The issues began just before 4 p.m. and continued until approximately 8:30 p.m. Reports confirm that the outage spanned the Back Mountain region into the Wyoming Valley, impacting parts of Lackawanna County as well.
Local authorities, including Luzerne County 911, confirmed the situation, stating on Facebook, “We’re receiving reports of spotty phone service around the county, especially with Verizon and possibly other carriers. These issues are likely weather-related.” Xfinity echoed these concerns, attributing the disruptions to “severe weather in or around your area.”
The outage severely affected local businesses, crippling phone and credit card systems. For instance, CK’s Cantina & Grill in Dallas remained open, albeit only for cash transactions. The restaurant took to social media, urging patrons, “Our phones and internet are out but we’re still here and open for cash customers, so come see us!”
This incident underscores the critical reliance on internet and phone services for both personal and business operations in the region. Customers have expressed frustration and concern over the reliability of their service providers during such outages.
As the situation develops, residents and businesses are advised to monitor their service status and stay updated through official channels. Authorities are working to assess the full impact and restore services as quickly as possible.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
