An 80-mile stretch of Interstate 80 in Nebraska has been closed as heavy snow and strong winds hit the region, causing numerous car accidents.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the westbound lanes of I-80 were closed Sunday from mile markers between Lincoln and Grand Island.

State Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins says there were several reports of vehicles hitting the median or going into ditches. She says the closure was due to those reports, but also as a precaution because of whiteout conditions in the area.

There is no additional information about how many accidents have been reported. Details about injuries or fatalities were not immediately available.

The National Weather Service says up to 9 inches of snow could fall in parts of Nebraska and Iowa.