A massive haboob swept through Phoenix on Monday (August 25), leaving a trail of damage, power outages, and flight delays in its wake. The towering wall of dust, driven by strong winds from a thunderstorm, plunged the city into near-zero visibility. According to USA Today, thousands of residents were left without power as the storm barreled through Phoenix and surrounding areas.
The storm, which originated in San Tan Valley, reached downtown Phoenix within an hour, bringing with it powerful winds and heavy rain. The National Weather Service issued both dust storm and severe thunderstorm warnings, urging drivers to exercise caution due to dangerously low visibility. AccuWeather reported that the Arizona Department of Transportation echoed these warnings, advising drivers on I-10 and I-17 to proceed carefully due to dust and flooding.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport experienced significant disruptions, with operations halted for about an hour. Over 100 flights were delayed, and three were canceled. The airport sustained damage, including a shredded connector bridge due to 70 mph wind gusts. Crews are currently assessing the damage and addressing leaks in passenger areas.
Power outages affected over 60,000 customers, with the majority in Maricopa County. As of Tuesday morning, power had been restored to most, but some residents remained without electricity. The storm’s impact extended beyond Phoenix, with reports of downed trees and traffic light outages in nearby Gilbert, Arizona.
The haboob followed a weekend dust storm in Nevada that disrupted the Burning Man festival. The monsoon pattern in the Southwest continues, with more storms expected through midweek, accompanied by triple-digit heat.
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