Rain knocks out phone service in Steel Valley

Water damage to underground cables is being blamed for a phone outage that has affected hundreds of residents in parts of Homestead, Munhall, West Mifflin and Whitaker.

Verizon spokesman Lee Gierczynski said the company had received reports of loss of service from more than 600 customers starting after midnight.

The heavy rains of recent days have damaged four cables, he said. At least one of the cables will need to have a section several hundred feet long removed and replaced, which will involve individually splicing each of the hundreds of telephone lines that runs through the cable.

"It's a very deliberate process," Mr. Gierczynski said, that may take through the weekend to complete.

Verizon is setting up phone banks at the Homeville Fire Hall, 3900 Greensprings Ave, West Mifflin, where affected residents will be able to make free local calls. The company also is providing a "limited number" of cell phones to municipalities for emergency services.

Work crews will be "working around the clock to get the service restored as quickly as possible," Mr. Gierczynski said.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008
By Elwin Green, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette