A massive wall of dust swallowed parts of metro Phoenix on Monday, turning the afternoon sky into darkness, stopping traffic, grounding flights, and cutting power for thousands.
The storm, known as a haboob, swept across central Arizona with such force that people caught in its path described it as terrifying. Drivers reported near-zero visibility, while families said they felt the grit of the desert dust inside their cars and homes.
For Bernae Boykin Hitesman, the drive home with her 9- and 11-year-old children quickly became dangerous. She had just left school when the dust storm appeared near Arizona City, about 60 miles southeast of Phoenix. She pulled her car to the side of the road as the wall of dust surrounded them.
âI couldnât see my hand in front of my face if I put my hand outside,â she said. âMy kids were really, really scared, so I was trying to be brave for them.â
The storm rattled her car and coated the air with dust for about 15 minutes before passing.
Haboobs form when strong winds from a thunderstorm push loose desert dust into the air, creating a towering cloud that can stretch for miles. They strike quickly and can cause serious hazards on the road and in the air.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, heavy rain and winds that followed the haboob caused leaks inside a terminal and forced delays for flights. âCrews have been identifying leaks and attempting to clean up water where it has collected in passenger areas,â airport spokesperson Heather Shelbrack said.
The storm also left thousands without power. According to PowerOutage.us, more than 15,000 customers lost electricity, most of them in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.
Some residents described damage around their homes as the wall of dust swept through. In Gilbert, retired professor Richard Filley said the wind shook trees, knocked down bird feeders, and filled his house with fine dust. âThe windstorm part of it, Iâm glad itâs gone,â he said. âYou look at the photos of haboobs and they are a spectacular natural phenomenon. They are kind of beautiful in their own way.â
Still, for those who experienced it up close, the beauty of the storm was overshadowed by fear. Drivers on busy highways suddenly found themselves unable to see more than a few feet ahead. Families huddled indoors as the dust forced its way through windows and doors.
The National Weather Service said Phoenix has been drier than usual during this yearâs monsoon season, while some other parts of Arizona have had more rain than average. Meteorologist Mark OâMalley said that is typical for the season. âVery hit and miss,â he explained.
Forecasters say metro Phoenix has a 40% chance of rain Tuesday, followed by clearer weather.
For many, though, the memory of Mondayâs haboob wonât clear so quickly. A dark wall of dust rolled across one of Americaâs busiest cities, and in just minutes, everyday routines turned into moments of fear and survival.