Lightning hits city hall phone bank
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/News/25442/
Lightning knocked out the seven digit phone system of City Hall and the police department Saturday morning.
Computers, a fax machine and radios at the police department were also damaged.
The city was hit with about $ 40, 000 in damages, City Clerk Peggy Woody said. The damaged items are insured.
The 911 system was not affected by the lightning strike that occurred at about 11 a. m. Saturday, said Nathan Heald, communications manager for Siloam Springs 911 Communications Center.
Bill O’Hare of Willtech Enterprises LLC repaired the phone system Saturday.
“ It’s back online right now, ” O’Hare said. “ We got them back online Saturday. ”
Phone service was fully re- stored to the city at 2 a. m. Monday.
O’Hare was still making adjustments to the system Tuesday.
City Hall and the police department share a phone
sys-City employees are determining what needs to be repaired or replaced, Heald said.
Customers of Siloam Springs Electric Department did not report any power outages because of the storm Saturday, said Art Farine, director of the electric department.