Parts of the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Smithfield, Franklin and Isle of Wight county are without phone service.

According to county officials in Isle of Wight customers were for a time unable to reach 911 on land lines.

Patrick Small, assistant county administrator, said the county asked residents to use cell phones to call 911 in case of emergency or go to the closest fire or rescue squad station.

According to Verizon spokesman Harry Mitchell the outage started about noon and has affected the Sandbridge, Pungo, Shipps Corner and Courthouse sections of Virginia Beach and the Great Bridge section of Chesapeake as well as Franklin, Smithfield and Isle of Wight.

According to Mitchell customer are able to call within the local exchange, but cannot call or be called from outside.

Verizon is working to find the cause and restore service, Mitchell said.