DES MOINES, IA β€” An interruption of landline phone service has affected residents, businesses, and emergency services providers resulting in phone and/or internet issues throughout Iowa due to an issue with service provider Lumen Technologies. This interruption may affect the ability to reach 911 by landline phone.

Recommended Actions:

  • If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1 from a mobile phone.
  • Texting 911 is also an available option in all 99 Iowa counties. 
  • Follow local media, and official social media pages for updates on impacted or restored services. The outages may vary by location. 

There are a few things that people should be aware of in the event of an outage of 911 communications:

  • Never call 911 unless you’re in a true emergency.
  • Tune in to local media, and social media from official sources for additional information and guidance. 
  • Depending on the nature of the outage there may be alternative ways to reach 911. 

When 911 outages occur in our state, responsible parties will conduct a thorough investigation to understand what happened and why it happened so those involved can review if changes are needed to reduce future outages.

About the Department:

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management leads, coordinates, and supports homeland security and emergency management functions to enhance the quality of life for Iowans by preparing our State and building resilient communities. Follow the department on social media, Facebook and  X (Formerly Twitter).