Mass 911 outages caused by fiber cuts disrupt emergency services in multiple states

On September 25, 2025, emergency 911 services were disrupted across multiple states primarily affecting Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, as a result of significant fiber optic line cuts. Authorities reported the first indication of the problem around 1 p.m. local time in Mississippi, where residents experienced challenges in reaching emergency services. The situation escalated quickly, leading to nearly total outages of 911 systems in the affected areas. By late afternoon, law enforcement agencies were advising the public to utilize local phone numbers for emergencies. To this point, there was no evidence suggesting any malicious intent behind the fiber cuts, with officials from AT&T confirming that they believed the outages were caused by actions from third parties rather than a cyberattack. By approximately 4:45 p.m., AT&T began indicating that services were being restored, with Mississippi’s emergency management agency confirming the 911 systems were fully operational again by around 5 p.m. local time. Louisiana, however, dealt with persistent outages into the evening, with some areas slowly coming back online, while major cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans faced delays in restoration efforts. Although some parishes were reporting their systems restored earlier in the day, concerns remained about lingering issues that could affect vulnerable populations who rely on emergency services. The incident raised questions about the vulnerability of essential communication infrastructures, particularly in critical circumstances like natural disasters or emergencies. Officials were proactive in their communication strategies, using social media channels to alert citizens to the ongoing challenges and encourage caution when trying to reach emergency lines. The Louisiana Governor's Office and emergency management teams were on standby, ready to offer support to the parishes as local agencies worked to mitigate the disruptions. With residents in areas affected by the outage placed in vulnerable positions, especially regarding health and safety emergencies, the incident showcased the importance of reliable communication infrastructure in maintaining public safety protocols and emergency response capabilities. While AT&T issued apologies for the inconveniences faced by the residents, the communications company also expressed its commitment to resolving the issue quickly, stressing the importance of these services to the community's well-being. Moving forward, this disruption may lead to further scrutiny regarding the resiliency of communication networks and emergency service systems across the affected states.