Damaged cable disrupts phone service

REGION — A work crew damaged an underground Newburgh fiber optic cable on August 20 and disrupted long distance telephone service in at least four counties for 16 hours.

According to published accounts, a Verizon crew was installing new cable when it damaged an existing line on Monday morning. During efforts to repair the break at about 1:00 p.m., a larger cut was made accidentally.

That cut shut down ATM’s and Internet service, put four counties out of long distance service and disrupted 911 services in Sullivan and portions of Orange County.

No major problems resulted, but officials expressed concern at the lack of backup to the Sullivan County 911 system.

Service was restored at approximately 4:00 a.m. on August 21.