Damaged fiber at the SC data hub is the cause of Spectrum's internet outage

By SamWalkerOBXNews.com

Fiber optic cables damaged by flooding in upstate South Carolina from Hurricane Helene were responsible for the long outage for Spectrum Internet service customers in the Outer Banks and across North Carolina.

The outage began around 7 a.m. Friday as heavy rain from the hurricane fell on interior parts of the southeastern U.S., causing devastating flooding, particularly in western North Carolina.

“Network lines at our regional data center in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area were damaged by Hurricane Helene,” said Scott Pryzwansky, spokesman for Charter Communications. “The network at this location is critical to delivering our services in this area.”

Pryzwansky said the company's technical teams were on site and working to restore services as soon as conditions permitted and as quickly as possible.

The outage affected not only residential customers, but also a number of companies that rely on internet access for their daily operations.

Charter Communications, under its Spectrum brand, is the largest cable Internet and television provider in the state.

In addition to the Outer Banks, outages were also reported in the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia.

Due to the outage and the possibility that it could take several days for service to be restored, the Hatteras Island Community Emergency Response Team deployed its mobile satellite internet trailers to multiple locations on the island Saturday morning.

On Ocracoke, wireless satellite Internet connections for the public are also provided at the Hyde County Sheriff's Office, the Community Center, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Company and the Harborside Motel.

Outer Banks customers reported their service was back up shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday.