Power outages continue to dwindle, to just over 1,000 customers. Additional snow is expected this evening.
As of 1:30 pm, the number of OPPD customers without power was down significantly, to below 2,500. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected this evening, along with gusty winds. The National Weather Service says Norfolk, Wayne, and Columbus saw blizzard conditions.
As of 11 am, OPPD reports 12,893 customers are without power. Crews are working to restore power, but wind is a factor. In Council Bluffs, 2,745 Mid-American Energy customers are without power.
As of 9 am, more than 20,000 OPPD customers are without power. Mid-American Energy reports 5,181 outages in Council Bluffs.
The National Weather Service says 6.5 inches of snow has been reported in Lincoln. Four inches of snow has fallen in Saunders and Mills Counties, and 4.5 inches at Offutt Air Force Base.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect.
Earlier update:
More than 17,000 customers in the Omaha metro area are without power as heavy snow and gusty winds move through.
The snow began overnight, with some areas already reporting 3 to 4 inches of snow. OPPD says 11,328 customers in Douglas County are without power. 5,000 customers in Sarpy and Cass Counties are without power.
In Council Bluffs, Mid-American Energy reports 6,296 customers without power.
I-80 from Lincoln to Omaha is snow-covered, with white-out conditions reported in some areas. The city of Omaha has 30-percent more plows on the roads for this storm. Travel is not advised today. A snow emergency remains in effect in Omaha.
If you must travel today, you can check road conditions at www.511.nebraska.gov and www.511ia.org.