Optimum Struggles to Restore Service to Under 2% of Customers After Weeks-Long W.Va. Outages
Updated
Updated · WSAZ · Aug 21
Optimum Struggles to Restore Service to Under 2% of Customers After Weeks-Long W.Va. Outages
2 articles · Updated · WSAZ · Aug 21
Summary
Less than 2% of Optimum’s local customers in Kanawha County still lacked internet service weeks after severe storms, with some residents reporting outages since Aug. 6.
About 90% of those remaining outages stem from commercial power failures rather than damaged lines, while two utility poles were also badly hit after a tree fell onto infrastructure.
Pinch and Tornado residents said the prolonged loss of connectivity has become a safety risk, leaving families unable to check emergency alerts or reliably call for help during severe weather.
Optimum said repair crews have at times been unable to start work because fallen trees and other utility hazards made damaged areas unsafe to access.