Associated Press - October 30, 2009 1:25 PM ET

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) - A foot of wet snow has knocked out power to about 1,100 customers of a south-central Nebraska utility district.

A spokeswoman for Dawson Public Power District said Friday that the snow had piled up on lines, which were then shaken by wind gusting to 40 mph.

Rural homes from North Platte east to Gothenburg were affected.

The National Weather Service measured 12.6 inches of snow at its North Platte office.

Blowing snow made travel hazardous, but the Nebraska Department of Roads says U.S. Highway 20 at the north end of the Panhandle had reopened into Wyoming. Interstate 80 remained closed west of North Platte to the Wyoming line.

Schools through the region closed, and some high school football championship playoff games were delayed to Saturday.

On the Net:

Dawson Public Power District: http://www.dawsonpower.com/

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