Meanwhile, the severe weather threat will linger through Sunday from Florida northward into the upper Ohio River Valley, forecasters warned.

The largest number of deaths, 12, were in Missouri, mostly in Wayne County. Eight deaths were reported in Kansas after a 50-vehicle collision during a "severe dust storm," and six deaths were reported in Mississippi following multiple reported tornadoes.

A severe weather outbreak has brought violent, long-track tornadoes to parts of the South, with damaging winds of up to 80 mph and large hail.