Cut fiber cable causes Hargray phone and internet outages across Beaufort County, HHI area

A severed fiber cable has brought widespread cellular and internet outages to Hargray customers in the Hilton Head, Bluffton and Pritchardville areas early Friday afternoon, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. 911 services had not been affected.

Local outages were reported beginning around 10 a.m. Friday, according to data from Downdetector.com. Company-wide numbers show hundreds of affected customers throughout the morning, with 89% of reports representing slow or nonexistent Internet connection.

It was not immediately clear where the cut cable was located. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens said Hilton Head residents may have trouble connecting to landline phones. In the event of an emergency where local agencies can not be reached, locals can contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.