landline telephone question
A touch tone phone will also work when the power is out..
That's the thing..........Don't get hung up here, pun intended, on "rotary." What you want is a cord connected device, something, preferably with no batteries and no power supply, IE 'not' an answering machine.
I would MUCH rather have a touchtone than a rotary, in case you have to deal with a phone menu, such as calling the power company to report a pole down, etc.
And do NOT let 911 bullshit you. If you think it might be an emergency, IT IS. If it's a tree overhanging a street that might fall on a car, THAT MIGHT BE AN EMERGENCY. Don't let some fecking phone operator tell you different. It's their job, and it's what your tax money is paying for.