Hurricane Isabel Takes Its Toll On Virginia Cable Systems.

Byline: K. C. NEEL

Hurricane Isabel may have only been a Category 1 storm, but it cut a swath of damage that took experienced cable executives by surprise.

"The damage is the worst I've ever seen, and I've lived through hurricanes and earthquakes," says Thom Prevette, VP, governmental affairs, for Cox Communications in Hampton Roads, Va.

Most operators began preparing for the storm at least a week before Isabel's arrival. Adelphia's VP, operations, Dell Hanley and his team secured equipment that could withstand the wind and rain and lined up contractors to repair any resultant damage.

Cox had 3,000 standby generators at the ready to keep its …