Posted Tuesday, December 20, 2011 --- 7:45 a.m.

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) — Snow and fierce winds crawling across the Plains have shut down major roadways in the Texas Panhandle, and authorities say nearly 100 motorists have been rescued.

Shelters were being set up Monday night after Interstate 40 was closed from Amarillo west into New Mexico.

Local sheriff's officials say National Guard troops and law enforcement were called out to between 75 and 100 rescues. No injuries were immediately reported.

Roadways heading north into Oklahoma also were closed.

Blizzard conditions have put road crews on alert from northern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle through Oklahoma and Kansas. Hotels were quickly filling up as motorists took refuge and early exits off highways across the region.

In eastern Colorado, the storm was blamed for an accident along an icy highway that killed two people.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.