Multiple states in the US experienced a widespread 911 outage on Wednesday evening, leaving millions temporarily unable to contact emergency services.
While service was restored in most areas by late night, the cause remains under investigation.
What is a 911 Outage?
911 outages are a surprisingly frequent occurrence in the US, with major incidents happening at least once a year for the past five years.
A 911 outage can be caused by technical glitches, overloaded networks during emergencies, or even software limitations.
When a 911 outage occurs, contacting emergency services can be difficult. Local authorities may provide alternative numbers on their websites or social media, and some areas offer text-to-911 services.
However, these solutions aren't perfect and can cause delays in receiving help.
