Power Restored in Augusta, but Internet Service Faces Long Road to Recovery
In the bustling city of Augusta, things are slowly getting back to normal following the recent upheaval caused by Hurricane Helene. While the electricity has been restored for the vast majority of residents, the restoration of cable and internet services is proving to be a bit more of a challenge. Students and teachers at five elementary schools in Richmond County are gearing up to return to the classroom this Wednesday, but they’ll be doing so without any working internet.
The Struggles of Internet Restoration
Despite WOW’s network being reported as 100% operational, a staggering 40% of their customers still find themselves without service. The issue lies primarily with the extensive damage inflicted on the network infrastructure during the hurricane, meaning that rebuilding is no easy task.
Shayne Johnson, a member of Alpha Fiber Communications, is part of the crew tasked with the challenging job of restoring the internet lines for WOW customers. “The problem is that there is a big backbone in the package that goes from a node to the homes,” Johnson explained. “Anytime you interrupt that, it basically interrupts the entire system.” This means that without a connection to the nodes, there’s simply no internet for the homes.
Two Weeks In
As we hit the two-week mark since Hurricane Helene blew through, it’s clear that people are learning to adapt to these new circumstances. While many are thankful to see their power back on, the internet interruption has been a hurdle for many people in the community. “Where is the hardest hit you’ve seen so far?” was asked to Tom Hayes, foreman at Alpha Fiber Communications, who replied, “Right here.” Those words might ring true for many residents as they navigate the aftermath.
Hayes elaborated on the complexities involved with restoration. “First thing is getting out here and setting up all your safety control and then getting in control of traffic is extremely difficult,” he stated. After that, it’s all about bringing in new wires and salvaging as much as possible. “As you can see, it’s a mess out here, and this is what we are dealing with on almost every road we are on.”
Road to Recovery
Johnson has mentioned that they expect fiber internet to be back online on certain sections, like parts of Wheeler Road, as soon as Wednesday morning. However, the long road ahead is clear, as he predicts they will be working in Augusta for the next couple of months. “Most of the system, Comcast and WOW, the majority of it needs to be rebuilt,” he noted, highlighting the scale of the restoration challenge.
On a brighter note, Augusta Commission members have made a significant decision regarding budget allocation. Millions of dollars are now freed up for clearing the debris left behind by Hurricane Helene. This move will undoubtedly assist in expediting the recovery process.
Community Efforts and Assistance
As for Comcast, they reported that around 300 crews are working diligently around the clock, seven days a week, to address the damage. Their goal is to have service restored to 90% of customers in Augusta, Martinez, and Aiken by October 24th. Additionally, Comcast promises restoration by October 17th for other nearby areas such as Appling, Harlem, and Waynesboro.
Residents are encouraged to assist these efforts by avoiding any newly placed lines while cleaning up debris, as accidental cuts could disrupt services for others. To further assist the community, Comcast has opened over 11,000 public Xfinity hotspots, allowing everyone—customers or not—to get online while the recovery continues.
While the road to full restoration may still be lengthy, the community spirit in Augusta remains strong. As we all adapt to this new normal, it’s heartening to see both companies and residents come together in the aftermath of such a challenge.
