The reason many phone calls to the Casper Police Department were answered with, "Casper Police, is this an emergency?" is that the dispatchers were doubling as 911 operators Tuesday.

A Qwest fiber optic cable accidentally severed in Wheatland has cut 911 service to Casper and an unknown number of other communities in the state.

Casper residents who have an emergency should call the police station at 235-8278. Public safety communications dispatchers will answer phones, and callers are strongly advised to stay on the line and give dispatchers an address.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, it was unknown as to when 911 phone service would be restored.