Just Plain Cold

THE PLAINS: Freezing Arctic winds sent wind chill temperatures plunging to more than 50 degrees below zero as a fierce winter storm rolled across the Plains Wednesday night headed east. TIME's Pete Larson reports from Nebraska: "Most people in the region have been unable to get to work and the schools are closed today. Officials are very concerned about the cold temperatures. It struck so quickly that people were caught off guard. Central Nebraska is basically shut down. So is the interstate, with stalled vehicles stranded overnight. Rescue attempts have been difficult because visibility has been very poor. Many people had to spend the night in their cars along the interstate."