Meanwhile, dust storms spurred by high winds claimed almost a dozen lives on Friday. Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo, in the Texas Panhandle.

Tornadoes were also a large threat. The Midwest was under a level 4/5 risk for severe weather on Friday and Dixie Alley was under a level 5/5 risk for severe weather on Saturday. The threat of tornadoes was elevated this time around because of an extremely conducive atmosphere.