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The failure of a power generator at the city’s Unified Communications Center caused longer than expected wait times for people calling 911 and a complete lack of service to 311.

The power outrage occurred today at 12:47 p.m., according to a release from the Office of Unified Communications. “Within the last 18 hours, the OUC noted irregular interruptions in the building’s power supply and requested that it be placed on generator supply. The agency also proactively moved staff to its alternate site, in an attempt to maintain continuity of 911 operations,” according to a release. “After 13 hours, the generators failed causing a catastrophic communications failure at the OUC.”

This meant that 911 “communications were degraded, resulting in longer than expected wait times; 311 communications were completely disabled for approximately 16 minutes; the radio communications system for the Metropolitan Police Department was severely impacted for approximately 5 minutes and continued to operate in back-up mode for another 20 minutes until full restoration.” The radio system for Fire and EMS remained operational in backup mode.

The OUC is working with the Department of General Services to find the cause of the outrage.

Councilmember Tommy Wells, who chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, is looking into the outage, according to a spokesperson.