GALLIA PHONE OUTAGE Damaged Phone Line Takes Out Service To Hundreds Of AT&T Customers
Reported by: Dan Matics
Web Producer: Kristin Keeling
Reported: Feb. 6, 2013 6:47 AM EST
Updated: Feb. 7, 2013 10:06 AM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Gallipolis
, Gallia County
, Ohio
Several hundred customers are without phone service in Gallia County, Ohio, after vandals damaged a phone pole.
The Gallia County Sheriff's Department said the damage happened about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on State Route 160 near Bulaville Pike Road. A phone line about 5 inches in diameter was damaged. Customers between State Route 160 and Oil Hallow Road and the intersection of Route 554 have been affected. Between 500 to 900 customers are believed to be without phone service.
The outage is causing concern for elderly people living in the area.
Dwayne Caldwell says he normally checks on several elderly neighbors and is concerned that they wont be able to make that life saving phone call.
"If they cant call 911 then how long will it take before I can walk and go check on them," Caldwell said.
AT&T crews are working to repair the line. The damage is estimated at about $25,000.
Anyone having trouble dialing 911 should use one of the county's non-emergency numbers.
A downed major phone line has knocked out service to hundreds of people in Gallia County, Ohio.
911 dispatchers said the damage is along Route 60. Nearly 900 AT&T customers are without phone service as of Wednesday morning.
Crews think there could be up to $25,000 worth of damage. That means 911 service for some people in the county may be affected.
If you are having trouble dialing 911, we're told you should use one of Gallia County's non-emergency numbers.
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Dan Matics
