PHOENIX — A significant storm swept through the Phoenix area on Monday, bringing with it a massive wall of dust that darkened the skies, caused poor visibility for drivers, and disrupted air travel at one of the busiest airports in the nation.
Bernae Boykin Hitesman was driving her children, aged 9 and 11, home from school when the storm, referred to locally as a haboob, hit in Arizona City, located around 60 miles southeast of Phoenix. As the storm rapidly approached, she had no choice but to pull over to the side of the road. “I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face,” she recalled.
Boykin Hitesman recounted the frightening experience, feeling the strong winds shake her vehicle, with dust even making its way inside. “I was nervous. My kids were really scared, so I tried to stay calm for them,” she said.
A haboob is characterized by its fierce winds kicking up dust and often occurs in flat, dry areas. Following the dust storm, heavy rain moved in, grounding flights at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and causing some damage to terminal roofing.
According to Heather Shelbrack, the airport’s deputy director of public relations, cleanup crews have been hard at work assessing leaks and addressing water accumulation in passenger areas.
The dust storm also affected electricity, with over 15,000 people experiencing power outages, particularly in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.
Resident Richard Filley, a retired professor living in Gilbert, noted how the storm caused trees to sway and bird feeders to topple. He commented on how fine dust invaded his home, finding its way into even the tiniest cracks. “I’m just glad the windstorm part is over,” he said. “Haboobs are quite a sight; there’s a certain beauty to them.”
This monsoon season has been unusually dry in Phoenix, though parts of southeastern and north-central Arizona have received substantial rain. Mark O’Malley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, noted this weather pattern isn’t uncommon. “Monsoon conditions can be pretty hit and miss,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the forecast for metro Phoenix indicates a 40% chance of rain on Tuesday, followed by a return to drier conditions.
