Massive Comcast Xfinity outage disconnects TV and internet across the US

So far there’s no word on what is causing the issues.

By Richard Lawler , a senior editor following news across tech, culture, policy, and entertainment. He joined The Verge in 2021 after several years covering news at Engadget.

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Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile Service Introduces New 5G Unlimited Data Options

This morning many Comcast Xfinity subscribers woke up without their usual services. Reports indicate the system was down, or at least unsteady, in areas stretching from Chicago to Philadelphia, New Jersey, and South Carolina. Looking at DownDetector , issues had been reported earlier in the Bay Area, but it’s unclear if those are connected to the problems people saw this morning.

Comcast has released a statement regarding the outage. According to a spokesperson, “Earlier, some customers experienced intermittent service disruptions as a result of a network issue. We have addressed the issue and service is now restoring for impacted customers, as we continue to investigate the root cause. We apologize to those who were affected.” It appears that most of the people who reported problems have confirmed they’re back online. There’s still no word on exactly what caused the problem or how many people were impacted at its peak.

A message on the company’s outage status page (if you could reach it, which many people couldn’t) noted an issue and said it would be resolved at 10:49AM ET, without revealing why it had such a specific timeline. Customers trying to reach phone support reported only getting a dial tone or error message in response.

Some people, like me, were able to get online this morning without an issue while using Comcast’s cable internet, but the number of reports from home and business customers alike shows the issue was widespread.

Disclosure: Comcast is an investor in Vox Media,  The Verge’s  parent company.

Update November 9th, 12:29PM ET: Added tweet from @XfinitySupport noting the issue has been addressed and updated article accordingly.

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Contact Xfinity customer service

Find the fastest way to contact a Xfinity customer service representative by phone or online.

Contact Xfinity using these phone numbers

Getting in touch with Comcast’s Xfinity customer service is easy — you can find customer service contact info for all Xfinity services below. Whether you call Xfinity, chat online or go to a store location, there is a representative available to help you virtually 24/7.

Xfinity’s customer service phone number is: (800) 934-6489

Customer Service Hours: Monday — Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Xfinity customer service number can assist you with all your inquiries. Call Xfinity customer support for: 

  • Tech support
  • Billing and payments
  • Add/remove services, such as TV packages
  • Check the status of your appointment

Additional Xfinity customer service numbers

Xfinity bill pay .

(800) 934-6489 (800-Xfinity)  EST

Pay your Xfinity bill by phone 24/7.

Xfinity Mobile customer service number

( 888) 936-4968 EST

Find out more info or access your Xfinity Mobile account by calling an Xfinity Mobile specialist.

Xfinity business customer service

( 800) 391-3000 EST

Call if you are a new or existing business customer.

What do you need when you call Xfinity customer service? 

There are a few things you will need to have ready when you call Xfinity customer service:

  • Your ZIP code
  • The phone number associated with your account
  • Your Xfinity account number

Quickest way to reach a live Xfinity representative

If you don’t have the information above, or you are not an existing customer, here is the quickest way to navigate the phone system to get to the correct department or to reach a live Xfinity representative:

Call (800) 934-6489 (1-800-Xfinity ) .

  • Press 9 or say Spanish if you need to go to the Spanish menu
  • You will be immediately prompted to enter your ZIP code where you have or want Xfinity service
  • If you do not enter a ZIP code here, you will be asked for a phone number or account number, or prompted to say “new customer” if you are trying to sign up for new service
  • If you do nothing at this point, you will be asked to select one of the following options in order to continue to an Xfinity representative:

– Say “Tech support” or press 1

– Say “Billing and payment” or press 2

– Say “Other options” or press 3 (Other options include “add service or products,” “remove services or products” and “appointments”)

– If you do not select one of the options above, you will be prompted to press 0 to get to an live agent

How to reach Xfinity technical support 

Call (800) 934-6489 | hours: monday — saturday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. est.

Xfinity’s tech support number is the same as their customer service number. To quickly reach a tech support representative, enter the ZIP code associated with your account, then say “technical support” when prompted.

Call Xfinity tech support for issues such as:

  • Modem/router not working
  • Setting up your X1 TV remote
  • Not getting a dial tone on your home phone

Non-phone options to reach Comcast’s Xfinity

If you’re phone-averse or just don’t have the time to call Xfinity, you’re in luck. Many Xfinity customer service issues can be easily handled through your online Xfinity account . Don’t worry about picking up the phone for these common issues. We’ll show you how to handle them online in a flash.

  • Transferring your Xfinity services to a new home: Give us a call at (844) 551-1950
  • Add premium channels and On Demand subscription packages 
  • Cancel your Xfinity services
  • Pay your Xfinity bill

Ready to order new Comcast Xfinity services?

Find out more about the Xfinity bundle deals in your area by speaking with an Xfinity expert. Call now to order new Xfinity service. 

Call now (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

How to pay your xfinity bill.

There are half a dozen different ways to pay your Xfinity bill each month, so choose the method that is most convenient for you.

To pay your Xfinity bill, you can:

  • Call Xfinity customer service at 1-800-Xfinity or (800) 934-6489) EST to pay your bill by phone
  • Visit  www.xfinity.com  to make an Xfinity bill payment online
  • Download the Xfinity My Account app to make an Xfinity bill payment via mobile
  • Visit an Xfinity location using the  Xfinity store locator  to pay your Xfinity bill in person
  • Set up an Xfinity  live chat  to have an agent walk you through the bill pay process

You can also set up  automatic bill pay  to have payments drafted directly from your bank account. Enrolling in automatic bill pay may also qualify you for discounts off your monthly Xfinity bill.

Xfinity troubleshooting and quick help guides

Save time by troubleshooting service issues without having to contact Xfinity customer service. Of course, Xfinity customer support is available 24/7 to help. 

Resetting your Xfinity password

Xfinity makes it easy to reset your password. You can change your password via their custom Reset tool, via the My Account page or in the Xfinity App. 

Make sure your new password is at least eight characters, including one letter and one number or special character. Be sure your new password doesn’t include any spaces, your name or any part of your Xfinity ID.

  • To use the Reset Tool, visit xfinity.com/password , enter your Xfinity ID and select how you would like to reset your password. Forgot your Xfinity ID? It’s usually your mobile phone number or email. If neither of those work, you can reset your ID here .
  • To change your password via the My Account page, sign in to your Xfinity account , select the Users tab, then Edit .
  • To change your password in the Xfinity My Account app, simply sign-in on your mobile phone, go to Account Information and select Change Password .

Troubleshooting your Xfinity internet connection

If you’re having trouble with your Xfinity connection, there are a few quick steps you can take to rule out common issues. 

  • First, check for an outage in your area. Find out if there’s an outage in your area and when you’ll be back online at the Xfinity status center .
  • Reset your equipment. Turn off your computer, unplug your gateway router and plug it back in after 15-20 seconds. Turn your computer back on. 
  • Inspect all cables, connectors and outlets to make sure no lines are damaged or loose. 
  • If you are having speed issues, consider taking the Xfinity speed test to ensure you are getting the speed you are paying for.

Manage your Xfinity data usage

Most Xfinity residential internet customers have a data limit of 1.2 TB, which is a virtually unlimited amount of data — equivalent to streaming 21 hours per day. However, if you want to check on your actual data usages for the month, or just want to see what else a terabyte of data can get you, go here .

Contact Xfinity customer service online

There are several ways you can contact Xfinity customer support at any time of day.

Ask Xfinity chat available 24/7

Get instant answers to technical and account questions, such as 

  • How to pair your remote with your TV
  • What to do if your Xfinity home phone is not getting a dial tone
  • How to restart your Xfinity Home touchscreen

Troubleshoot in the Xfinity forums

Visit the Xfinity forums to share knowledge with other customers and find answers from experts. The forums are a great place to start if you have a specific technical question. Just type a keyword in the search bar, and odds are, someone else has experienced the same issue and can help you solve it!

Xfinity social media links

Feel free to reach out to Xfinity on social media with questions not found on their website, such as info on promos and deals.

Visit the Help Center

From the Xfinity Help Center , you can check on outages, link to forums, find a store and more.

Contact accessibility support

Learn more about closed captioning, voice guidance and other support features for users with disabilities .

Set up a text account

You can receive text alerts and info about your account when you set up a texting account.

Comcast Xfinity customer service FAQs

To talk to an Xfinity Mobile customer service expert, call (888) 936-4968 EST.

In certain areas, Xfinity internet’s Gigabit Pro plan can give you speeds up to 3,000 Mbps, which can power a smart home of heavy internet users or a small business without lag.

Comcast is Xfinity’s parent company.

Xfinity Internet customers can determine whether their third-party equipment is approved for internet and voice usage at  My Device Info . Input your ZIP code and select your download speed to see a complete list of approved equipment.

You can rent an upgraded modem with Xfinity or you can buy a Xfinity compatible modem with better capabilities from the My Device Info list. If you’ve been notified by Xfinity that you’re eligible for an equipment upgrade, visit  www.xfinity.com/equipmentupdate (you will need to login to your Xfinity account first).

Check out  Xfinity’s Status Center  for the most up-to-date information on your connection status, outages in your area and easy solutions to service issues without agent assistance.

There is no official email address for Xfinity customer service or technical support. The best way to contact Xfinity customer service is to call (800) 934-6489 or engage in a live chat with an Xfinity representative.

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Written by:

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  • Featured Best Xfinity routers reviewed Camryn Smith — 5 min read
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The limits a provider sets on the amount of data you’re able to use while online

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Xfinity Outage

Xfinity customers, here’s what to do if you’re having internet or cable TV issues.

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Share | Dec 7, 2022

Is Xfinity down or is it just me?

Xfinity cable TV or internet outages typically happen when Comcast’s network goes down, but equipment problems can sometimes look like network problems. If you’re stuck staring at a blank TV or computer screen, check your Xfinity equipment before calling Xfinity customer service .

Xfinity equipment issues

Xfinity network outage issues, how to confirm an xfinity outage, what to do during an xfinity outage.

Tired of outages?

Enter your zip code below to find a more reliable provider.

Your TV or home internet equipment might be causing service problems if they’re working at less-than-peak condition. If you’re experiencing any of these scenarios, you might be experiencing hardware problems instead of an Xfinity outage:

  • Your Wi-Fi connection keeps dropping or has a weak signal
  • You get a steady TV signal, but your picture looks off
  • The lights on your modem, router, or TV box remain lit and aren’t flashing

In these situations, your TV or internet equipment just might need a tune-up. Check out our Xfinity troubleshooting guide for some TV and internet support tips.

If your TV or internet connection is completely out, the problem is likely on Comcast’s end. Along with losing your TV or internet service, these signs point towards an Xfinity outage:

  • Modem, router, or TV box have flashing error lights
  • Neighborhood has severe weather conditions like a power outage

If you’re encountering these problems, reach out to Xfinity customer support to confirm if there’s an outage in your area.

If you’re still experiencing service problems after checking all of your Xfinity equipment cables, use the following resources to confirm that Xfinity has a service outage in your area.

Xfinity outage map

Xfinity’s Outage Map lists local outages in your area and includes estimated repair times. You can access the map on Xfinity’s Status Center or with the Xfinity My Account mobile app (available on Google Play or the App Store ).

Call Xfinity customer service

Xfinity’s callback service lets you schedule a phone call with an Xfinity customer support agent and avoid having to stay on hold all day. Xfinity also has in-person chat support every day between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET and a support account on Twitter.

Get Xfinity text notifications

Text OUT to 266278 for Xfinity outage notifications via text message. For text alerts, your phone number needs to be registered to your Xfinity account .

There’s not much you can do during an Xfinity outage except wait for Comcast technicians to finish restoring TV or internet service. But while you’re sitting by candlelight or working through the Sunday crossword, you can still use some Xfinity services.

Use your smartphone as a hotspot

Depending on your smartphone brand and plan, you might be able to use the phone as a mobile hotspot to connect computers or tablets to the internet.

Mobile data speeds won’t be as fast as your home internet service, but they’re a workable backup during a power outage. Make sure your smartphone plan covers hotspot usage to ensure you won’t get hit with overage fees.

Watch TV shows on the Xfinity Stream app

If your Xfinity TV service is out during a power outage, you can still use the Xfinity Stream app to watch on-demand movies or TV shows. Check out our full Xfinity Stream review to learn more about the app.

Connect to an Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot

For fast Wi-Fi internet access, Comcast customers who aren’t on a prepaid plan can connect to a neighborhood Xfinity hotspot. Visit our Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots guide to learn more about the service and find your nearest hotspot.

Once you’ve determined whether your Xfinity equipment is on the fritz or you’re part of a widespread outage, you can take steps to correct your network connection.

If you’ve got equipment troubles, our Xfinity troubleshooting guide can help. During an internet outage, you can use your smartphone as a hotspot. If it’s only a TV outage, this will be a great time to try out Xfinity Stream to watch your favorite shows online.

Xfinity outage FAQ

Is xfinity down in my area.

Xfinity may be down if Xfinity technicians are working in your area or if your neighborhood is experiencing severe weather conditions like a power outage. Visit the Xfinity website or text OUT to 266278 to confirm if Xfinity services are down.

Why is my Xfinity network not working?

Your equipment might be causing the network issue—follow our Xfinity troubleshooting guide for help. If that doesn’t fix it, you might have an Xfinity outage in your area.

How do I find out if internet is down in my area?

Visit the Xfinity website or the Xfinity My Account mobile app to see if Xfinity has an internet outage in your area. If your phone number is registered to your Xfinity account, you can also text OUT to 266278 for internet outage updates.

How do I call Xfinity?

You can reach Xfinity customer service at +1-800-XFINITY. That’s +1-800-934-6489 if you don’t want to hunt around your keypad for the letters.

Related articles

  • What Do the Lights on Your Modem/Router Mean?
  • Why Does My Cable Internet Keep Dropping?
  • 5 Best Xfinity Compatible Modems

See also: Xfinity Overview | Xfinity TV | Xfinity Voice | Xfinity Bundles | Xfinity Channel Lineup | Xfinity Customer Service | Xfinity Availability Map | Xfinity Deals | Xfinity Free Installation

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Home » TV Service

Comcast Xfinity Customer Service FAQ

We have answers to some of your most burning Comcast Xfinity questions

Chantel Buchi

We may earn money when you click our links.

Comcast Xfinity is one of the highest-performing cable TV companies in the industry. It offers reliable TV, internet, mobile, and landline services across 40 US states.

Because of their wide range, it might be more difficult to receive quick solutions from Comcast Xfinity's customer service.

We’ve answered some of the top customer support questions that you might have to help you through a smooth process of contacting Comcast Xfinity's customer support team.

Quick guide to this article

How do I contact Comcast Xfinity customer service?

  • How do I reach a live agent Comcast Xfinity TV?
  • Can you call Comcast Xfinity 24/7?
  • How do I get a call back from Comcast Xfinity?

What phone number is 1-800-266-2278?

  • How do I troubleshoot my Comcast Xfinity internet and WiFi Connection?

Why is my Comcast Xfinity WiFi connection so slow?

How do i speed up my comcast xfinity internet service.

  • Comcast Xfinity TV customer service performance

Comcast Xfinity’s customer service number is 1-800-XFINITY (or 1-800-934-6489).

If you’d rather not make a phone call, you can always live chat with a representative if that’s easier. (Sadly, introverts, there’s no Comcast Xfinity email to reach customer support—although you can reach them through text or social media if you prefer those routes. Some may be more effective than others, bone of them require you to chat on the phone.) 

If you have a complex service problem, we find the chat feature to be very slow and frustrating. You might also forget you’re chatting with someone, come back 10 minutes later, and the rep has already terminated the conversation.

By making the phone call, you could get your solution within a jiff.

If you need guidance in troubleshooting TV picture or signal quality issues, you can find some of your answers online at Xfinity’s support page . You can also find answers to general questions related to WiFi and internet connection issues.

Oh, and if you have a problem specific to Xfinity Mobile, here’s a nice phone service FAQ to help you out.

Also, as a Hail Mary move, you can always show up at an Xfinity store and request assistance. (The Xfinity app can help you find Xfinity stores nearby.) Demanding help in the flesh may not make you the favorite customer in the Comcast business portfolio, but at least it’s a direct way to get answers about your Xfinity service.

How do I reach a live agent at Comcast Xfinity TV?

Just because you reach out to Comcast Xfinity customer service doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be connected to a real person. And in most cases, that’s a no-go.

So allow us to guide you through to a real person. Here we go.

When making the phone call to Comcast Xfinity's customer service at 1-800-XFINITY (or 1-800-934-6489), you’ll be prompted with automated menus.

First, they’re going to ask you to enter in your ZIP code, account number, or phone number, or ask you to indicate that you’re a new customer.

After that, the automated voice will push you to go online.

The voice will offer to send you the link to the Xfinity Customer Support Assistant (in other words, their virtual assistant) to answer “most common questions”.

Just say “no” a few times, and then you’ll be asked to verbally say what you need help with. Then you should be directed to a live agent (in other words, a live human).

Can you call Comcast 24/7?

Yes, Comcast Xfinity TV is available 24 hours of the day. Call them at 1-800-XFINITY or 1-800-934-6489 or chat live at www.xfinity.com/support .

They’ll be able to help you with most of your cable TV, WiFi, mobile, and internet service questions as well as help you with any buggy tech issues, or at least direct you to someone who can.

How do I get a call back from Comcast?

Unfortunately, there’s no concrete way of how to specifically get a call back from Comcast. We know that’s frustrating to hear as a Comcast customer.

But Comcast Xfinity says they will respond to you within 24 hours if you have any type of service problem, but you won’t be receiving that response if your service problem is under “extraordinary circumstances or where conditions are beyond our control.”

What Xfinity’s definition of “extraordinary circumstances” or “conditions beyond our control” are, well, we don’t know.

But we can assume that this means a power outage from weather conditions or a fallen power line.

If this isn’t the case, you should expect a response from an Xfinity customer service representative the next business day.

1-800-266-2278 appears to be a secondary Xfinity customer service number.

Although this number isn’t the same as Xfinity’s standard customer service number (1-800-XFINITY or 1-800-934-6489), in our experience, it’s still the same type of help.

With both numbers, the recordings and automated menus are exactly the same.

How do I troubleshoot my Comcast Xfinity internet and WiFi connection?

First and foremost, make sure your device is in fact connected to your in-home WiFi network.

Xfintiy says the most common way to fix internet service issues is to restart your modem.

The best way to restart your modem is to sign into your account, click on Services, scroll down to Devices, and click Restart Modem.

If this doesn’t work, you’ll be prompted to schedule an appointment with one of the technicians.

To get optimal WiFi coverage make sure your modem, or “Gateway” as Xfinity calls it, is in these ideal settings:

  • Placed in an open space
  • Placed in a central location of your home or near where WiFi is needed most
  • Placed away from microwaves, refrigerators, TVs, and computer monitors

If your Gateway is already in its perfect little area, these factors could play a role in slow WiFi:

  • You might have too many devices connected to your network
  • The distance between your Gateway and your device

Your modem or router could be to blame.

Xfinity suggests upgrading your modem if it’s a generation or two behind. An upgrading modem will deliver the fastest broadband speeds.

This is important for any household that has several people working from home, streaming, or downloading at the same time.

Take a speed test to see if your router might be the problem.

What is Comcast Xfinity TV customer service performance like?

After all of these FAQs, you might be wondering where Xfinity ranks when it comes to customer service performance among its competitors.

Well, according to the ACSI Telecommunications Report of 2021–2022 , Xfinity service hasn’t gotten any better since its last ranking—but at least it hasn’t gotten any worse.

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Getting Started

Xfinity Community Forum

Customer Service

User_5dm3g3.

1st Topic

Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 9:56 PM

SSL certificate Error | No Answer from SPA Xfinity support

I have sent multiple form submissions to https://spa.xfinity.com/report to report a website I am not able to access consistently. They say they'll answer in 3 business days but they do not. Has anyone had success with this form? 

The issue comes up as an SSL certificate error but the SSL is valid and graded A by SSL tools. 

XfinityKatie

Official Employee

670 Messages

@user_5dm3g3 We know that it is important to access the sites you need, and we want to ensure that you can get assistance with this. The request to unblock a website won't always be completed if our Advanced Security Assurance team views the site as something that still needs to be blocked. However, if you have submitted multiple reports without an update, we'd like to see what options we have for getting an update on the status of this! Can you send out team a direct message with your full name, address, and the site you are looking to unblock so we can further assist with this? To send a direct message, please click on the chat icon in the top-right corner of the screen, and select "Xfinity Support" to initiate a live chat. 

Click "Sign In" if necessary Click the "direct messaging" icon or https://forums.xfinity.com/direct-messaging Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon Type "Xfinity Support" in the "To:" line and select "Xfinity Support" from the drop-down list which appears. The "Xfinity Support" graphic replaces the "To:" line Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window Press Enter to send it

Thank you Katie - is this Direct messaging monitored in real time? 

XfinityShawn

423 Messages

@user_5dm3g3 We are glad to have helped you get this resolved, and my team is always here for you if you should need us in the future. 

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Half a million Victorian customers without power as Loy Yang A shuts down and storms damage infrastructure

A coal-fired power station on an overcast day

Some Victorians may be without power for days as electricity companies investigate the cause behind power outages affecting about half a million customers across the state.

One of Victoria's three remaining coal-fired power stations shut down just after 2pm today, causing wholesale power prices to soar.

All four units at AGL's Loy Yang A power station in the Latrobe Valley are offline. 

It's believed two transmission towers physically collapsed, preventing them from transmitting electricity through the lines, which caused Loy Yang A to trip.

"I have met with the CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator about the current unprecedented impact of extreme weather on Victoria's power grid," Energy Resources Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said.

AGL will leave one unit offline, with the other units to come back online throughout the evening.

"Work is underway to return units back to service," an AGL spokesperson said.

"This will take place over the next few hours in line with our safety and operational protocols, and as associated transmission line issues are resolved."

Supply back after load shedding

When fully operational, Loy Yang A has a maximum capacity of 2,200 megawatts.

The outage comes as nearby Yallourn Power Station, owned by Energy Australia, is operating at half-capacity due to repair works.

Victorian wholesale power prices increased to $16,600 per megawatt hour this afternoon, compared to $29.61 in Queensland and $286.97 in NSW.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) started load shedding (switching customers off due to a lack of supply) in Victoria just after 2pm.

It has now resumed electricity supply to the 90,000 or so customers who were affected.

Many parts of Victoria recorded temperatures in the mid to high 30s today.

United Energy, which services Melbourne's south-east and the Mornington Peninsula, reported nearly 51,000 customers were without power.

AusNet reported 43,000 of its customers were without power, while Citipower and Powercor had 107,000 customers offline.

Cause being investigated

The AEMO said in a statement it was investigating the cause of the power outages.

"In Victoria, the Moorabool to Sydenham 500 kilovolt transmission line tripped, multiple generators disconnected from the grid and some consumers experienced a loss of electricity supply," it stated.

"To keep the power system secure, AEMO has directed AusNet Services to enact load shedding.

"Controlled load shedding is a mechanism AEMO uses as an absolute last resort to protect system security and prevent long-term damage to system infrastructure." 

Photo of a power plant, with concrete cylinders and smoke against a grey sky

It may take days for power to be restored

Citipower and Powercor spokesperson Emma Tyner said a combination of extreme temperatures, strong winds and thousands of lightning strikes were damaging electrical infrastructure.

Citipower supplies 332,000 customer connections in the Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs, while Powercor supplies electricity across 64 per cent of Victoria, west of Melbourne and through central and western Victoria.

"It's very widespread, from the western suburbs of Melbourne, Bendigo, through the inner suburbs of Melbourne, Ballarat, Maryborough, Charlton, Shepparton," she said.

"The band of lightning and extraordinary wind that we've seen push through the state has caused extensive damage and we're still seeing this weather pattern pass through."

Ms Tyner said some customers may have to wait for days before power is restored.

"There are almost 400 different faults across our network. This will take a number of days we believe," she said.

"Those that still do have power, we are encouraging them to take steps because this weather is going to continue."

Need for more energy production locally

Victoria Energy Policy Centre director Bruce Mountain said it was not yet clear what was to blame for the power outages.

"It's too soon to apportion blame to either individual generators or the transmission system," he said.

"But I can say our electrical system is pretty precarious overall and this is quite worrying."

Last coal - Bruce Mountain

Professor Mountain said if all four generating units of the Loy Yang A power station returned to service this evening, the situation would stabilise and electricity prices would drop back down.

But he said more energy needed to be produced locally to reduce the energy system's vulnerability to weather.

"We are very exposed through long distance transmission lines to winds and storms and I think that may well be the root of the problem here," Professor Mountain said.

"We can produce electricity cheaply locally."

A tree branch and powerlines lying on the ground on the side of a road.

Businesses turn away customers

Amber Henderson, who owns Misty Hills Café at Neerim South in west Gippsland, said she had turned away customers and sent a staff member home after the power went out during lunch service.

"It definitely takes an emotional toll, you feel very responsible, especially for the staff," Ms Henderson said.

"It's just so inconvenient but we still managed okay this time."

She said it was lucky her husband Brad Carbery had been able to drop off a generator, or she might have lost all her stock.

"When you're in the middle of service and we're trying to prepare for things like Valentine's Day, you've also got more staff on so you're paying extra wages to do that sort of prep and none of that can be completed," Ms Henderson said.

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Bradenton Herald

Verizon customers in Bradenton and Tampa Bay report cell service outage. What to know

Jan. 9—If you're a Verizon customer in the Tampa Bay area, chances are you were without cell service Tuesday morning.

According to Downdetector, more than 5,300 Verizon customers reported an outage by 10:30 a.m.

The site lists reports ranging from mobile issues making calls to no signal as well as problems with 5G home internet. A majority of users reporting service issues had to do with mobile connectivity.

Verizon does not report any outage in the area, according to its network status tracker, and the company's customer support indicated there is not a reported outage.

Some customers in the Tampa, Florida area on Downdetector reported they were getting service bars restored slowly, while others were left with an SOS signal for at least two hours Tuesday morning.

There is a potent storm impacting the eastern United States, with a coastal flood watch in effect for Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties among others along the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is bringing high winds, which could impact cell service, though it is not known if that is the cause of Tuesday's reported outage on Downdetector.

Service appeared to be restored before 11 a.m.

This story was originally published January 9, 2024, 10:54 AM.

(c)2024 The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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