Well, consider this...
EVERYONE in that area has lost power and wired internet service. Further, cell companies also suffered power outages making them rely on back up generators and equipment, reducing their capacity. This at the same time that EVERYONE who wants to access the internet, for now, must do so via the remains of the functioning cell infrastructure. So, there capabilities are reduced, while demand for their bandwidth and connectivity has gone up exponentially. They may need to throttle and reduce bandwidth to lesser customers to make space available for law enforcement, emergency workers, etc, rather than making plenty available for every Tom, Dick and Harry. Just a thought anyway. There's always more to the story.
As to the first link. Of course. But who the heck watched movies and TV on their data connection anyway? I never do.
TIB