Authorities said at least five people were injured in the crashes. They were taken to area hospitals. They sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
All lanes of the freeway were closed from Avenue A to Avenue F. Dozens of vehicles were stopped on the freeway because of nearly zero visibility.
"You couldn't see at all. You see like the windows and stuff were covered on the car," said Tez Shaw of Lancaster.
Strong westerly winds blew dust and sand across the Antelope Valley. A high wind warning was in effect for the Antelope Valley until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Fire officials say a quarter-acre grass fire erupted shortly before the winds picked up, but was quickly knocked down.
The wind toppled a tree in front of a Lancaster home. It damaged the home's fence and part of its roof.
