A powerful haboob rolled through metro Phoenix, creating a towering wall of dust that darkened skies, reduced visibility and forced drivers to pull over. The storm produced heavy rain and wind that delayed flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and caused damage to a terminal roof, prompting crews to identify leaks and remove collected water from passenger areas. More than 15,000 customers lost power, primarily in Maricopa County. Residents reported trees swaying, bird feeders battered to the ground and fine dust infiltrating homes through small openings, while motorists and children experienced fear and temporary disorientation during the 15-minute event.
A powerful storm kicked up a towering wall of dust that rolled through metro Phoenix on Monday, darkening the sky, blinding drivers, knocking out power and grounding flights at one of the nation's busiest airports. Bernae Boykin Hitesman was driving her son and daughter, ages 9 and 11, home from school when the storm, known as a haboob, arrived late in the afternoon in Arizona City, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) southeast of Phoenix. She had to quickly pull over as the storm engulfed her car.
A haboob is a dust storm pushed by the wind produced by a weather front or thunderstorm and typically occurs in flat, arid areas. Heavy rain and wind followed Monday's haboob, delaying flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and causing some damage to a terminal roof. "Crews have been identifying leaks and attempting to clean up water where it has collected in passenger areas," Heather Shelbrack, the airport's deputy aviation director for public relations, said in an email.
More than 15,000 people lost power, most in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, according to PowerOutage.us. Richard Filley, a retired university professor who lives in Gilbert, said the dust storm caused the trees to sway and knocked bird feeders to the ground. Fine dust found its way through "every little crack and space" into his house, he said.
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