****UPDATE: 8:45****

The stretch of Interstate 86 near American Falls has been reopened. 

****UPDATE: 5:50 p.m.****

The Idaho Transportation Department has officially closed Interstate 86 in both directions from mile marker 40, American Falls, to 44, Ramsey Road.

However, the section of Interstate 15 between Idaho Falls and Roberts has been reopened. 

For most up-to-date information dial 511 or the utilize the 511 website at 511.idaho.gov

****UPDATE: 4:50 p.m.****

High winds are causing multiple car crashes and power outages throughout East Idaho on Monday afternoon. 

According to the Idaho State Police, multiple car crashes have been reported near American Falls and traffic is backed up in Power County. Authorities are advising motorists to avoid the area. 

The Idaho State Police issued the following statement about the crashes at approximately 4:40 p.m.: 

Idaho State Police are investigating multiple crashes on I86 from mileposts 42 to 44, just east of American Falls. Visibility is greatly reduced due to a dust storm. Currently, both westbound and eastbound lanes are blocked. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and can expect delays. Updates will be provided when available.Several car crashes were also reported in Bingham County as well. 

More information on the wrecks in the area will be released shortly. 

High winds and poor visibility have forced officials to shut down the section of Interstate 15 between Idaho Falls and Roberts. The interstate is closed between milepost 119 to milepost 135, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. 

U.S. 20 three miles east of the Island Park area and State Highway 87 north of the Island Park area have been closed due to drifting snow. 

The winds have also brought down trees and power lines. A large tree was downed on North 12th Avenue in Pocatello, while a downed power line in McCammon ignited a small field fire. The fire was quickly extinguished. Nobody was reported injured in either of these incidents. 

The high winds have also caused multiple power outages in East Idaho. 

Idaho Power is reporting the following outages: 

• Fort Hall/Chubbuck area: 285 customers (Estimated Restoration: 6:00 p.m. Monday)
• Blackfoot: 97 customers (Estimated Restoration: 5 p.m. Monday)

Rocky Mountain Power is reporting the following outages:

• McCammon: 715 customers (Estimated Restoration: 6:30 p.m. Monday)
• Shelley: 616 customers (Estimated Restoration: 7:30 p.m. Monday)

****ORIGINAL STORY****

The National Weather Service escalated its high wind watch to a warning on Monday as destructive gusts began pounding the region. 

The weather service said winds of up to 60 mph will pound much of East Idaho from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.

The areas of East Idaho that aren't under a high wind warning are under wind advisories and could experience gusts of up to 45 mph or stronger during the same time frame. 

The weather service said the gusts hitting East Idaho could cause damage, especially by knocking down tree limbs and it's possible some power lines could be knocked down resulting in power outages.

The winds are expected to cause reduced visibility via blowing dust in areas with exposed and dried out topsoil.

Rain and snow are in the forecast for Wednesday in East Idaho, and the winds could cause blowing snow that reduces visibility as well.

When the weather service first warned of the incoming winds on Saturday, only some lower elevation areas of East Idaho were expected to be impacted by the gusts, which were forecast to hit Monday morning through early Monday afternoon. On Sunday the weather service escalated its forecast by saying the winds would hit most of East Idaho and would begin Monday morning and continue into Monday night. Early Monday morning the weather service escalated the forecast again, saying that the winds would hit all of East Idaho. 

The areas forecast to be pounded by the most powerful winds -- up to 60 mph -- are Pocatello, Chubbuck, Fort Hall, Blackfoot, Shelley, Firth, Atomic City, Aberdeen, American Falls, Rockland, Arbon, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Hamer, Roberts, Iona, Ucon, Rexburg, Rigby, Sugar City, Burley, Rupert, Heyburn, Shoshone, Malta, Oakley, Craters of the Moon, Idaho National Laboratory, Malad, Raft River and Richfield.

The areas expected to be hit by winds of up to 45 mph include Island Park, St. Anthony, Ashton, Dubois, Spencer, Driggs, Victor, Palisades, Swan Valley, McCammon, Arimo, Downey, Swanlake, Inkom, Thatcher, Henry, Wayan, Soda Springs, Grace, Bancroft, Lava Hot Springs, Montpelier, Georgetown, Paris, St. Charles, Franklin, Preston, Weston, Chesterfield, Tetonia and Dayton.

The gusts hitting East Idaho on Monday could be powerful enough to make driving a vehicle difficult, especially on Interstates 15, 84 and 86 and on Highways 20, 26, 24, 75, 81, 89, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 91 and 93.

High winds are also expected to hit south central and southwest Idaho on Monday, including Boise, Mountain Home, Jerome and Twin Falls. A wind advisory has been issued for those areas calling for gusts of up to 50 mph. 

Wind advisories and/or high wind warnings are also in effect in Utah and Nevada.

In Northern Idaho as well as Montana and Wyoming, there will be high winds and lots of snow on Monday. A winter weather advisory is in effect in Northern Idaho, winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in effect in Montana, and high wind warnings, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect in Wyoming. 

Flooding is also possible in western Wyoming and north central Montana. 

Although East Idaho is forecast to receive rain and snow on Monday, as of 10 a.m. there were no winter weather warnings in effect and only the higher mountains were expected to experience any snow accumulation.