>> ONE A FRUSTRATING DAY FOR VERIZON. USERS ACROSS THE GULF COAST, THE MAJOR CELL PHONE CARRIER HAS A NATIONWIDE OUTAGE TODAY. THESE OUTAGES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SPORADICALLY FOR MONTHS. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER AND CHICKASAW TALKED TO SOME FRUSTRATED CUSTOMERS TODAY. >> PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT PEOPLE LOOKING AT THEIR PHONES ON THINKING. ALL RIGHT. I’M NOT THE ONLY WITH THE PROBLEM HERE. SO I GUESS I’M OKAY. >> I’VE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF ANGRY CUSTOMERS THAT CAME HERE TO THE CAPE CORAL, VERIZON, ASKING WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THEIR PHONE. SO I JUST GOT OFF OF WORK, HAD INTERVIEW WITH THEM. >> AND I TOOK MY PHOTOS SO A SWAT THAT TURNED UP FOR THE MEETING. AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON THIS. GOING TO USE IT. SO SO DRIVERS WHO WAS 11 IS THERE. TURNS OUT VERIZON IS EXPERIENCING A NATIONWIDE OUTAGE. >> VERIZON RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING THEY ARE WORKING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. SOME CUSTOMERS TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO PHONE PLANS WITH VERIZON. AND ONE PHONE WORKS. BUT THE OTHER DOESN’T. KATHERINE LEVINE IS NEW TO THE AREA AND STILL NEEDS ONLINE DIRECTIONS TO GET HOME. I’M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT >> WHERE I AM AND HOW TO GET HOME NOW. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I DON’T MIND ABOUT THE I KNOW THAT BY SOME POINT. BUT RIGHT NOW MY ONLY PROBLEM IS LET ME FIND MY WAY HOME SOME CUSTOMERS SAID IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A NICE DIGITAL BREAK. DOES CAN’T GO ON CAN DO FOR ON TIKTOK FOR A LITTLE BIT. SO I THINK I’LL BE OK. >> I
Nationwide Verizon outage disrupts service for Cape Coral residents
Updated: 6:34 PM EST Jan 14, 2026
A nationwide Verizon outage has left Cape Coral residents struggling with phone service disruptions, prompting many to seek answers at the local Verizon store.Katherine Levine, a Cape Coral resident, noticed the issue when she saw others looking at their phones in a parking lot. “I pulled into the parking lot, I see people looking at their phone. So I’m thinking, all right, I’m not the only one with the problem here, so I guess I’m OK,” Levine said.Many frustrated customers visited the Cape Coral Verizon store seeking answers about their phone issues. Dominic Webb, another resident, shared his experience after a job interview. “So I just got off of work, had an interview with them, and checked my phone. It was on S.O.S. When I turn it off for the meeting and I turn it back on, just kind of use it. So I started to drive here, so it was up. They didn’t really have an answer,” Webb said.Verizon has released a statement saying they are working to resolve the problem. Some customers reported having two phone plans with Verizon, with one phone working while the other does not.Levine, who is new to the area, expressed her main concern about finding her way home without online directions. “I’m trying to figure out where I am and how to get home right now. So, but other than that, I don’t mind about the outage. I know it’s going to come back on at some point, but right now my only problem is let me find my way home,” Levine said.Despite the inconvenience, some customers see the outage as an opportunity for a digital break. “Just can’t go on, can’t doomscroll TikTok for a little bit, so I think I’ll be OK,” Webb said.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
A nationwide Verizon outage has left Cape Coral residents struggling with phone service disruptions, prompting many to seek answers at the local Verizon store.
Katherine Levine, a Cape Coral resident, noticed the issue when she saw others looking at their phones in a parking lot. “I pulled into the parking lot, I see people looking at their phone. So I’m thinking, all right, I’m not the only one with the problem here, so I guess I’m OK,” Levine said.
Many frustrated customers visited the Cape Coral Verizon store seeking answers about their phone issues. Dominic Webb, another resident, shared his experience after a job interview. “So I just got off of work, had an interview with them, and checked my phone. It was on S.O.S. When I turn it off for the meeting and I turn it back on, just kind of use it. So I started to drive here, so it was up. They didn’t really have an answer,” Webb said.
Verizon has released a statement saying they are working to resolve the problem. Some customers reported having two phone plans with Verizon, with one phone working while the other does not.
Levine, who is new to the area, expressed her main concern about finding her way home without online directions. “I’m trying to figure out where I am and how to get home right now. So, but other than that, I don’t mind about the outage. I know it’s going to come back on at some point, but right now my only problem is let me find my way home,” Levine said.
Despite the inconvenience, some customers see the outage as an opportunity for a digital break.
“Just can’t go on, can’t doomscroll TikTok for a little bit, so I think I’ll be OK,” Webb said.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.