đź•’ Last updated on August 26, 2025
A towering wall of dust, known as a haboob, swallowed large parts of Phoenix and surrounding areas on Monday evening. The storm swept in suddenly, reducing visibility to almost zero and bringing the city to a halt.
A wall of dust engulfs Phoenix
Drivers on highways such as I-10 and I-17 faced life-threatening conditions as the dust cloud rolled through, making it nearly impossible to see even a few feet ahead.
Meteorologists explained that the storm formed when a thunderstorm collapsed, blasting powerful winds outward. These winds scooped up desert soil and created a rolling wall of dust that climbed thousands of feet into the sky. From a distance, it looked like a massive brown wave swallowing the horizon. But once it reached people, especially those in vehicles, it was too late to escape its force.
The National Weather Service quickly issued dust storm and severe thunderstorm warnings for Maricopa County. Officials urged drivers to pull over and wait it out, reminding them of the lifesaving message: “Pull aside, stay alive.” The Arizona Department of Transportation also reported severely reduced visibility and flooding in some areas, adding to the danger for anyone on the road.
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Storm damage and widespread outages
The dust storm was quickly followed by violent thunderstorms. Winds reached up to 70 miles per hour, strong enough to rip apart structures and scatter debris across neighborhoods. In several areas, large trees were uprooted and fell onto streets, blocking traffic and damaging property.
One of the most severe impacts was on the power grid. More than 60,000 homes and businesses across Arizona lost electricity as lines were knocked down. The majority of these outages were in Maricopa County, where the storm hit hardest. Families were left in the dark on a hot summer night as utility crews scrambled to restore power.
In Gilbert, about 22 miles southeast of Phoenix, traffic lights stopped working and trees littered the streets. Local authorities warned residents to stay indoors and avoid travel because of dangerous road conditions. The combination of dust, wind damage, and flooding made the streets hazardous even hours after the storm had passed.
Phoenix airport delays and travel chaos
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, also felt the storm’s full force. For about an hour, all takeoffs and landings were stopped as the dust storm engulfed the runways. Planes on the ground were unable to move, and flights waiting to land were forced to delay their arrivals.
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Airport crews inspected terminals and runways after wind gusts shredded a connector bridge and raised concerns about possible roof damage and leaks. Passengers faced delays of up to 30 minutes late into the night, with many stuck inside the airport as the storm roared outside.
For travelers, the scene was unsettling. A massive wall of dust made it appear as though the entire airport might vanish inside the storm. The ground stop, though frustrating, was necessary to keep passengers and crews safe.
This powerful dust storm highlighted the dangers of Arizona’s monsoon season. While such storms are not new, this one carried unusual strength, combining heavy dust with fierce thunderstorms. The result was a night of damage, outages, and disruptions that left the city struggling to recover.