Verizon Central Switching Office in Raymond, N.H., Knocked Out of Service by Severe Flooding

RAYMOND, N.H. -- Swiftly rising waters caused by the severe Nor’easter that hit the East Coast Sunday and Monday inundated Verizon’s central switching center in Raymond, N. H., Monday evening (April 16), knocking the communications facility out of service at about 8:30 p.m.

Approximately 6,000 phone lines are not working at all and have no dial tone. Customers with the 603-895 area code and telephone prefix will be without land-based telephone service for some time, possibly for the next several weeks, while Verizon rebuilds the destroyed switching facility.

Service to approximately another 12,000 phone lines is impaired. Verizon telephone customers in areas of Candia (603-483); Deerfield (603-463); Epping (603-679); and Northwood (603-924) will be able to make calls within their respective telephone exchanges. These customers will not be able to receive telephone calls from outside their exchanges, nor will they be able to make long distance calls. Customers served by these lines are able to reach local telephone numbers, including 9-1-1 for police, fire and other emergency services.

The Lamprey River, not far from the Verizon facility, overflowed its banks on Monday. Water up to five feet deep entered the company’s one-story central office, located on Floral Avenue in Raymond, and engulfed and destroyed the electronic switching equipment.

Verizon is dedicating all available forces to deal with this situation, coordinating with other wireline providers and working closely with local and state emergency services organizations. The company also plans to bring in additional wireless services.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a New York-based Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 57 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.