UPDATE: A significant disruption in internet and phone services impacted thousands of customers across northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) on Friday night. The outages, which began shortly before 4 p.m. and lasted until approximately 8:30 p.m., affected areas stretching from the Back Mountain to the Wyoming Valley and parts of Lackawanna County.
Local authorities confirmed the situation, with Luzerne County 911 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.”
Both Verizon and Xfinity attributed the outages to severe weather conditions in the area. In an official message, Xfinity informed customers that the disruptions were linked to “severe weather in or around your area.”
Businesses felt the immediate impact, with many struggling to operate without reliable phone and credit card systems. Notably, CK’s Cantina & Grill in Dallas remained open but could only accept cash transactions. They posted on Facebook, “Our phones and internet are out but we’re still here and open for cash customers, so come see us!”
The outages have raised concerns about connectivity and emergency services in the affected regions. Residents are urged to check on neighbors and stay updated on developments as the situation unfolds.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are working to restore services. Customers are advised to remain patient as technicians address the ongoing issues.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
