WESTPORT — The 9-1-1 emergency phone system, disrupted across the state for several hours Tuesday afternoon, has been restored to normal service, local emergency management officials reported about 4 p.m. 

Westport and state officials said the problem arose about 1 p.m., with the issue particularly afflicting landline phones.

People trying to report an emergency via 9-1-1 were advised to do so by calling or texting with cellphones.

It was not immediately clear what caused the system to malfunction.