We're fortunate to have you as a knowledgeable resource here, Trek.

During the Gulf war, my sister lived in Tel Aviv. The first time the SCUDS hit Tel Aviv, of course I tried to call her, and couldn't get through. I called the operator--"Can I not get through because the lines are tied up, or because there's no there to get through to?" She informed me that the lines were being used for official calls, which told me there were at least officials who could still be on the phone over there. A good lesson.