A powerful dust storm known as a haboob swept into Phoenix and central Arizona late Monday, plunging the area into near-zero visibility and causing widespread disruptions. The storm was quickly followed by severe thunderstorms with wind gusts over 70 mph, which downed trees, toppled utility poles, and left more than 60,000 residents without electricity, mostly in Maricopa County.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport imposed a temporary ground stop, preventing aircraft from taking off or landing for about an hour as teams assessed leaks and structural damage caused by the storm. Over 100 flights faced delays or cancellations, impacting travel throughout the region.
Motorists were urged by authorities to pull off roads because visibility dropped to just a few feet at storm peak, and debris made travel dangerous.
Dust storms are common in Arizona’s monsoon season, but the intensity and speed of this event were notable, with residents describing dramatic scenes as the sky quickly turned dark and dust entered homes through every crack. Weather forecasters expect the region to remain vulnerable to further thunderstorms through midweek.
