Verizon Faces $250M Bill from August Storms, Strikes

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As if Tropical Storm Irene hadn’t done enough damage while it was actually hitting parts of the country, it seems that it’s made life miserable for Verizon customers: The company has said that the cost of recent weather, as well as a labor strike, has left it facing a bill of up to $250 million and a backlog of work requiring attention.

While wireless customers are said to be left relatively unscathed by events, Verizon’s wireline business was recently hit by a two-week work stoppage caused by 45,000 striking workers before Irene and fellow Tropical Storm Lee arrived, bringing the need for even more repairs.

Repairs are said to be running around two to three weeks behind schedule, and it’s estimated that it will take 90 to 100 days to clear the backlog of installation and repair work that needs to be done. The financial impact is estimated at between $200 million and $250 million.

Now we wait, to see if Verizon announces any near-term price hikes to cover the damages.

MORE: Verizon’s New Data Limits: How to Avoid Getting Screwed

Graeme McMillan is a reporter at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @Graemem or on Facebook at Facebook/Graeme.McMillan. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.