SUSANVILLE, Calif. — A widespread telecommunications outage disrupted phone, internet, and critical emergency services across Lassen County on Friday evening after an oversized vehicle vehicle struck overhead lines near Susanville.
The incident occurred around 6:55 p.m. near the junction of Highway 44 and Highway 36. According to local emergency logs, a vehicle hauling an oversized load caught low-hanging fiber optic infrastructure, severing and pulling down lines across the roadway.
Key Details of the Incident
- Time & Location: Reported at 6:55 p.m. on Friday, near the Hwy 44/36 junction.
- Cause: Oversized load snagged overhead fiber optic cables.
- Primary Impact: Widespread Frontier Communications internet, landline, and cell service disruption across Susanville and surrounding Lassen County areas.
- Road Closures: Local law enforcement closed key access points near Roop Street and Cottage Street to manage traffic and clear hazards from the roadway.
Public Safety Impact & 911 Advisory
The severed fiber optic line caused major connectivity blackouts, prompting a public warning from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office regarding potential delays to landline and cellular 911 services. Local authorities advised residents to utilize alternative contact methods or visit nearby emergency stations directly if unable to reach dispatch via standard phone lines.
Utility repair teams and emergency crews responded to clear the downed lines and begin complex fiber re-splicing operations. Traffic controls were implemented around the affected corridors, with officers escorting trapped vehicles safely through the area.
Restoration efforts remain underway, and local drivers traveling between Highway 44/36 and Canby are advised to anticipate minor delays or seek alternate routes until overhead infrastructure is fully secured.
