I'd like to see opinions on whether the repair effort could be
> duplicated today, or if, given newer technology, it would even be > necessary.
The key issue is outside plant copper goes through a Main Distribution Frame (MDF) and protector to a line card. Once there, the call is turned into a buncha-a-bits, and the routing can be done upstream to some extent.
But when the MDF explodes and is burning the cable plant, Good Luck. And that is seemingly what happened.
As for what can take place today, look at Nashville. But as far we know, the major damage there was loss of power. The explosion destroyed water mains that flooded the CO basement; taking out the standby generation. The reported solution was caving holes in the back wall to pass cables to semitruck mounted generators.
If there is no POTS copper, as VZ is striving for with FIOS and 5G, that changes things. In theory, a truck full of replacement OLT's could be parked outside and the fibers run into it.