Central US hit with blizzard conditions

A potent storm slammed the central United States on Thursday, bringing a ferocious mix of wild weather, from blizzard conditions to flash floods.

Schools, universities and businesses were closed Thursday in several states as travel proved difficult if not impossible. More than 130,000 customers were without power in Michigan, according to poweroutage.us.

At least five people have been killed. Four died in traffic accidents on snowy or icy roads in the central United States over the past few days and a student died in Seattle after slipping on the ice. Earlier in the week, the storm brought heavy snow and ice to portions of the West Coast.

As of midday Thursday, the National Weather Service reported more than 20 million people were threatened by winter weather, and an additional 25 million were bracing for flooding.

The steadiest snow Thursday fell from Minnesota through Wisconsin and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Accuweather said. Blizzard warnings were in effect in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan.

Contributing: The Associated Press