What would happen if a domain register got knocked out in a disaster?

[Cleo]

Watching the hurricane move over DirectNic and wondering what happens to DNS if they are knocked out?

From what I understand each host runs their own DNS and a register like DirectNic is responsible for the records of its clients.

Actually I don't fully understand how DNS works. It amazes that it works as well as it does.

I also see that M3 Server is in the path but they are way inland, but still…