Chama, New Mexico

Emergency officials trying to warn residents of Chama, New Mexico about the threat of potential flooding were stymied by widespread service outages from Windstream Communications, the area’s broadband and telephone service provider.

The loss of service even impacted cell phone companies, whose cell tower sites relied on Windstream to get cell phone traffic into the telephone network.

More than 30,000 customers lost long distance and Internet service in the Chana area, leaving a local radio station as the primary source for communications to and from officials and Chana residents.

Residents began calling KZRM Radio asking about the service outages, leaving one local DJ to shrug his shoulders, noting he didn’t know because he couldn’t call out either.

Windstream kept 911 service running by call forwarding incoming emergency calls to cell phones in Española, located on the other side of Rio Arriba County.

Information about the flooding ultimately traveled primarily by word of mouth.

Windstream blamed the outage on a power surge.

KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports on the plight of 30,000 Chama residents left without cell, long distance, or Internet service during a potentially dangerous flood.  (2 minutes)

Other stories of interest:

1. Windstream Prepares for Investigation Into Major Nebraska Service Outage
2. Windstream Suffers Major Landline Failure in Nebraska; Several Counties Lose Phone, 911 Service
3. New Mexico Rural Broadband Gets Boost from Federal Stimulus Program
4. Frontier Targeted for Takeover? Deal “Likely Within Six Months,” Says Industry Analyst
5. Windstream’s Acquisition of Iowa Telecom Continues Telephone Company Consolidation, Worries Employees