Enormous Dust Cloud Shrouds Phoenix, Causing Flight Chaos

A formidable storm surged across Phoenix on Monday, sweeping up a massive dust cloud that cast a shadow over the city, rendered drivers sightless, cut electricity, and led to flight cancellations at one of the country's most bustling airports.

While Bernae Boykin Hitesman was heading home with her children—aged 9 and 11—from their school in Arizona City, an intense dust storm known in the region as a haboob struck unexpectedly in the late afternoon.

Forced to stop, she said, "My visibility was so poor, I couldn’t see beyond my hand stretched out in front of me."

Ms. Hitesman recounted tasting the gritty dust and feeling the severe winds jar her vehicle until the storm dissipated roughly a quarter-hour later.

"It was nerve-racking," she admitted, "My children were frightened, so I had to put on a brave face for their sake."

A haboob, characterized by wind-driven dust from a weather front or thunderstorm, is common in flat, dry regions. Monday’s haboob was succeeded by strong winds and heavy rain, extending flight delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and damaging parts of a roof at one of its terminals.

Come nightfall, over 200 flight delays were logged, affecting travelers significantly. Leaks observed in Terminal 4 led to intense cleanup efforts in passenger zones, as reported by airport personnel.

The electricity outage hit roughly 15,000 residents, predominantly in Maricopa County, the encompassing area of Phoenix.

Elsewhere, destructive winds caused a traffic sign to collapse in the Ahwatukee Foothills, and a fallen tree damaged a home in Chandler.

Richard Filley, a former professor from Gilbert, observed the storm tipping over trees and scattering lightweight objects. Dust permeated, sifting through minor gaps into his residence.

"The gusty winds were troubling," he noted, "although the vision of a haboob is quite awe-inspiring, despite its hazards."

Phoenix, facing a dryer monsoon spell, sharply contrasts with other more rain-endowed areas in southeastern and north-central Arizona, stated meteorologist Mark O'Malley from the National Weather Service.

Forecasts suggest a 40% probability of rain on Tuesday before conditions stabilize.

In an unrelated event, a dust storm battered the opening days of the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, disrupting the camp setup with intense winds.