PANHANDLE -- The storm that arrived early Saturday continues to impact driving conditions throughout the region.

Blizzard warnings were issued with anticipated snowfall to accompany high winds.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation closed Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 30 from the Wyoming state line east to Sidney and west from the I-76 interchange to the Wyoming state line. Highway 71 from I-80 to Harrisburg was impassable, according to NDOT. All roads reopened at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Temperatures could reach the low 40s with a northwest wind of 40 to 45 mph, later decreasing to 30 to 35 mph winds. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph. The NWS estimates an 80 % chance of precipitation Sunday. 

Condition will change to a chance of rain and snow before 7 pm., changing to mostly clear with a low in the mid-20s and a northwest of 25 to 30 mph, creasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. 

Conditions are expected to improve Monday with a high near 54 and a northwest wind of 15 to 20 mph.

Several churches cancelled their services Sunday morning due to the wind and snow. A full list of closures can be found HERE.

The city of Bridgeport issued a statement Sunday morning saying the entire Morrill County town, and surrounding areas, are without power, including Gering and Bayard.

High West Energy reported losing more than 250 power poles from the Potter area to Peetz, Colo. Saturday night. Restoration efforts were scheduled to start Sunday morning, but conditions slowed efforts down. The power company is hoping for the best, but telling customers to prepare for the worst, saying it could be a couple days before power is restored.

Wheat Belt Public Power District was still assessing damage at 4 p.m. Sunday, but said they do have a much clearer picture of what's ahead for the. They lost an estimated 250 poles. Four crews from other power districts will assist at 9 a.m. Monday. Wheat Belt Public Power District was assessing all damage Sunday morning and put in a request from other power districts to assist in restoring power. No time estimate has been given on when power will be restored, but the anticipation is this will be a multi-day outage. Wheat Belt customers are encouraged to call 308-254-5871 if you see a downed power line.

Roosevelt Public Power District and Chimney Rock Public Power are without power. CRPPD reported between 150-200 downed power poles with the largest share of them south and west of McGrew. According to a release, a circuit isn't expected to be rebuilt until Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Nebraska Public Power District also reported several outages in Gering and Bayard. Power was also reported out west of Hemingford.

Nebraska Public Power District reported 478 customers without power in the Nebraska Panhandle. Both WAPA and NPPD sustained significant damage to their main feed lines, affecting other area substations.

Shelters have been setup in Scottsbluff for those affected by the outages. 

The National Weather Service reports Colorado were forecast for another day of strong winds Sunday where gusts could've reached 95 mph along the Front Range, and 60 to 70 mph in the Plains.

Xcel Energy reported 768 outages throughout Northeast Colorado impacting 133,86 customers in the Denver Metro, 6,657 customers in the Fort Collins Metro, 457 customers in Sterling, as well as Peetz.

A large tree was blown over and blocked traffic at Main and 6th in Pine Bluffs. The tree has since been removed and traffic was able to resume as normal. 

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ROAD CONDITIONS

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