Tohoku Electric Power Network says about 6,800 households in Niigata Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan, had no power as of 6 a.m. on Saturday due to strong winds and fallen trees caused by heavy snowfalls.

Among the affected were about 3,600 households in Murakami City and 2,300 in Sado City.

Meanwhile, the electric power company of Japan's northernmost prefecture Hokkaido says more than 7,500 households had no electricity as of 10 a.m.

The city of Mombetsu has set up heated shelters at 10 locations. A woman in her 50s says she was scared staying alone at home without electricity, and was very thankful for the heating.

Hokkaido Electric Power Network says its investigation found that a steel tower that supports power lines collapsed, and it is not sure when it can restore the power supply.

On Friday night, the Hokkaido prefectural government asked the Self-Defense Forces to send disaster relief teams to provide support to Mombetsu.

Snow and strong winds have also disrupted air traffic.

As of 6 a.m., Japan Airlines had canceled 14 flights to and from Niigata, Komatsu and other airports. All Nippon Airways had canceled six flights to and from New Chitose, Shonai and other airports.

Airline companies are calling on people to check the latest information on their websites, as more flights may be canceled.