Blizzard conditions left thousands without power both in rural and urban areas as fierce winds and heavy snow battered the region Wednesday

A blizzard is hitting Nebraska as of March 19, causing widespread power outages, knocking down trees and powerlines and severely limiting visibility. Officials are urging people to delay any travel plans.

Power outages are being reported across Nebraska as blizzard conditions sweep across the state. As of 12:45 p.m., over 14,000 Norris Public Power District customers are without power, according to the agency’s outage map.