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BILLINGS- If you're having trouble accessing state government websites this morning, you're in good company.

A severed fiber optics line has left government offices across much of eastern Montana offline when it comes to internet use.

CenturyLink, the Internet service provider, carries the internet and networks for those agencies.

State departments were told the line was cut between Bozeman and Helena overnight Thursday into Friday.

Although still assessing the situation, the departments we've spoken with also believe that every state and county agency east of the break could be currently offline.

Many state employees received the following email from the state ITSD about the fiber cut:

"Century Link is reporting a fiber cut between Helena and Bozeman which is affecting external connectivity to state resources such as mt.gov. When more information received, we will update you with a current status of the situation."

The state of Montana uses a common network database, called SummitNet, to store information.

Additionally, many county websites are also affected by the severe in the line.

We have not received word of any government agencies being shutdown, but many are currently restricted in their daily operations due to the break.