BellSouth continues to make headway in its efforts to restore service to New Orleans and other areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, and also reports damage from Hurricane Ophelia was minimal.

As of Friday afternoon, central offices serving the following exchanges were completely out of service:

Area code 228

245, 452, 533

Area code 504

240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 260, 270, 271, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 286, 288, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 488, 662, 676, 821, 822, 826, 827, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949

Area code 985

333, 531, 534, 564, 6657

No central offices are out of service in North Carolina. Any necessary repairs are proceeding normally.

Restoration efforts depend on when crews are able to gain access to flooded areas, as water is pumped out of New Orleans, debris cleared, and conditions become safe enough for technicians to enter the affected areas.

Verizon announced Thursday that it is sending 110 people to New Orleans to assist BellSouth with restoration efforts, and will send more if needed. SBC Communications has already sent technicians down to assist.

BellSouth estimates show nearly 11,000 utility poles are down across the affected areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and even if the central office is in service, the poles must be righted and cables restrung on the poles in order to restore service to those affected.