Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP) A blizzard has shut down hundreds of miles of interstate across Wyoming and into the plains states, and forecasters say the storm could bring as much as 40 inches of snow to at least one mountainous area.

In addition to the heavy snow, the storm is sending temperatures plummeting and winds have been gusting to more than 60 miles per hour.

The blinding weather and icy conditions in South Dakota's Black Hills prompted officials to close Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Long stretches of I-25, I-80 and I-90 in Wyoming and South Dakota have also been closed. The strong winds toppled 13 vehicles in central Kansas, sending several people to hospitals with injuries.

Meanwhile, as the western part of Nebraska got snow yesterday, several tornadoes reportedly touched down in other parts of the state. Emergency officials are surveying damage at 11 sites in the Lincoln area.