DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials are closing all state offices until noon because of a powerful storm that has buried much of Iowa in deep snow.  Gov. Terry Branstad announced Thursday morning that state employees and the public should remain home until the worst of the storm passes through the state.   Office will open at noon.

The storm piled up nearly a foot of snow in some parts of Iowa, and high winds are expected to continue throughout the day.