Residents across the Midwest and the Plains who made it home for Christmas were digging out on Friday after a fierce snowstorm while those who spent the night in airports and shelters tried to resume their journeys.

Thousands of people in northwest Iowa are without power after the holiday storm coated power lines with a thick layer of ice.

A fierce Christmas storm dumped more snow and ice across the nation's midsection Friday after stranding travelers as highways and airports closed and leaving many to celebrate the holiday just where they were.

Family band - Pictured above is the Rankins Family Band. The talented family was popular in the Cherokee County area in the late 1800's. This photograph was taken in 1890.