OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Schools, services and businesses in much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa have closed as the states hunker down in the wake of the season’s first major snow storm.

Nearly all schools and child care services were closed Thursday in Omaha, Neb., and Des Moines, Iowa, and their surrounding areas. Scores of businesses – from banks to grocery stores – also closed their doors as a blizzard that began Wednesday night dumped nearly a foot of snow in some areas. Even as the snow tapered off early Thursday in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, high winds and blowing snow have made travel nearly impossible.

The National Weather Service says winds were expected to die down later Thursday. But the snow cover means freezing temperatures will stick around until next week.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Heavy snow’s already on the ground from the first major snowstorm of the season. Several counties in central Iowa report more than a foot of snow while a cluster of counties in northeast Iowa have nearly 11 inches. In Atlantic, we received 7-inches of snow outside the KJAN studios from 3-pm Wednesday through 7-a.m. today (Thursday).

National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Skow says the blizzard is beginning to ease.  “At this point, the storm is starting to pull slowly away from the state but we still have widespread snow across most of Iowa,” Skow says. “That should slowly taper off during the mid-to-late morning hours from west to east.” If you think you heard thunder last night — you did, and there was lightning, too. That’s “thundersnow,” according to Skow.

“Thundersnow is not terribly uncommon with these very strong systems,” he says. “And you have very strong winds. It’s a very strong system and that’s what led to that thundersnow.” While the snow is starting to lessen in western and central Iowa, Skow says another threat will remain through this afternoon.

“The big story today will be the winds,” he says. “We’re expecting strong winds, 30-40 miles per hour or even 50 to 60 mph wind gusts which will blow that snow around and create hazardous travel conditions.” Snowfall totals show three deep areas in the state — near Council Bluffs, around Des Moines, and between Dubuque and Waterloo. The deepest report is 13-point-1 inches, just north of Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

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.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green is urging residents of the community NOT to travel this morning in town, as the roads are 100% snow and ice covered. Travel is not advised unless it is an emergency. Many intersections are ice-covered and dangerous. If you must travel, approach the intersections with caution, and drive slowly elsewhere in town.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Blizzard conditions have forced the cancellation of most flights at airports in parts of Iowa and eastern Nebraska, including Des Moines and Omaha. At Eppley Airfield in Omaha, 23 flights were cancelled Wednesday night and most early-morning flights were cancelled Thursday.  At the Des Moines airport, most flights early Thursday were grounded.

In Cedar Rapids, American and Delta airlines halted flights at the Eastern Iowa Airport until mid-afternoon.

w/ Ric Hanson

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Thousands of people are without power in eastern Nebraska and across parts of Iowa as a powerful snow storm sweeps the Midwest.  In Iowa, MidAmerican Energy reports that more than 31,000 of its customers are without electricity, including 25,000 in the Des Moines area. More than 6,000 customers are without power in Council Bluffs. Alliant Energy reports a little more than 1,670 customers in southern and parts of western Iowa are without power this morning.

The Omaha Public Power District says more than 36,000 customers in its service areas in eastern Nebraska are without power. The hardest-hit area is in and around Omaha, where 25,000 customers are without electricity. The utility says heavy snow and high winds gusting to more than 50 mph are hampering efforts to restore power in many areas.In Lincoln, NE, television station KOLN reports that many residents are also without power.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports Highway 83, one-mile west of Atlantic, was blocked in both directions this morning, due to an overturned semi. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says the road is blocked between County Road M-47 and Highway 173 (the Elk Horn Road).

An accident involving a jackknifed semi has Highway 25 east of Casey blocked in both directions, from Interstate 80 to County Road F-56 this morning.

And, an accident on eastbound Interstate 80 two-miles east of the Casey area, has the road blocked this morning (as of 5:45-a.m.). The closure is between Antique Country Drive and Exit 86.

Travel is not advised anywhere in western Iowa this morning due to blowing and drifting snow. Traffic was reported to be moving very slowly in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area along Interstates 80 and 29.

The Harlan Police Department reports four people were arrested over the past week. On Dec. 16th, 18-year old Tabatha Wyatt, of Harlan, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension, following a traffic stop. The previous day, 18-year old Damon Germann, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charges.

His arrest took place following an investigation into an accident which occurred at the intersection of 8th and Market Streets in Harlan. Officials say Germann failed to stop at the intersection and collided with a vehicle driven by Randal Musich, of Harlan. The accident caused $1,500 damage to Germann’s 2001 Chevy, but no damage was reported to Musichs’ 2003 Ford.

On Dec. 13th, 24-year old Kurtis Kobold, of Kirkman was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant for violating a No Contact order. Kobold was taken into custody after an altercation with police. His bond was set at $100,000.

And, on Dec. 11th, 19-year old Kaitlyn Stessman, of Defiance, was charged with two felony counts of forgery, after a complaint was filed following an investigation into forged checks belonging to Michael Christensen, of Harlan. A judge dismissed the charges that same day. The previous day, Stessman pled guilty to a reduced charge of 3rd degree theft. She was sentenced to 90-days in jail, with all but 38 days suspended, plus payment of court costs and fees.