Upload connection causing loss of internet

During a storm a few weeks ago (not hurricane related) we lost internet for a few hours.  Since then, my service has become more and more intermittent.  We lose our upload connection and then the entire connection.  The upload also will not "lock" when it does connect. I have worked through the Xfinity assistant and I have an upcoming appointment (in 5 days) It is VERY unlikely it is the equipment in my home.  It is almost certainly a connection issue on a lashed line.  It gets worse when it's windy out and we live in a rural area that the cable is lashed to a power line before it's dropped into a neighborhood.  

My question is, how do I communicate to a human to tell them this?  My fear is that the internet will be working when my technician arrives, and he will say all is good and leave, and my issue will persist.  The other worry is that they'll get here, recognize the problem, but because they do not have a truck with a boom they can't diagnose and fix the issue either, so my internet will continue to be out.  

This has made it nearly impossible to work (my wife is a remote worker) and study (my daughter is in med school) at the house.  I just want to tell someone to check the lines, not just show up because they think I'm too foolish to restart my modem.  

Any suggestions on how to communicate with a live person would be helpful.