1:15 P.M. UPDATE: A Windstream crew is on scene and has started making repairs to a fiber optic line cut earlier today, impacting services in the Melcher-Dallas area.
Windstream indicates that the repair process will still require several hours. Depending on which cell carrier, and which tower the cell phone is connected to, even cell service could be impacted. Residents are encouraged to check on their neighbors and family members throughout the outage period. Sharing the information with the elderly is highly recommended, as they may be unaware of the outage.
ORIGINAL POST 11:15 A.M.:
A fiber optic cable belonging to Windstream has been cut west of Knoxville.
According to Marion County Emergency Management, 911, data and telephone service in the Melcher Dallas area is affected. To report an emergency in the Melcher-Dallas area, please call 641-828-2220 from a cell phone.
At this time, Windstream does not have an estimated time of repairs.