Severe Snowstorm Blamed for 2 Deaths

At least two motorists died, schools and businesses were closed and thousands were left without electric power for several hours after a late-winter ice and snow storm that began Thursday night swept the U.S. Plains, authorities said.

Freezing temperatures across Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas on Saturday morning made it difficult to melt ice that coated streets after two days of heavy rainfall.

“We’ve had a couple of storms this year that would compare, but this was unique because of the ice underneath,” said Iowa State Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert Hansen. “However, the sun has been shining since about 5 p.m. Friday, and the storm is breaking up.”