A Towering Haboob Hits the Desert State
A powerful dust storm, known as a haboob, rolled across parts of Arizona late Monday afternoon, plunging communities into darkness, blinding drivers, cutting power, and grounding flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
The storm struck with little warning, sending a wall of dust towering over Arizona City, about 60 miles southeast of Phoenix.
A Mother’s Close Call
Bernae Boykin Hitesman was driving her two children, ages 9 and 11, home from school when the storm swept in.
“I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face if I put my hand outside,” she said.
She quickly pulled over, feeling the car rattle as dust seeped in and winds howled around her. The storm lasted about 15 minutes, but the experience left her shaken.
“I was nervous. My kids were really, really scared, so I was trying to be brave for them.”
What Is a Haboob?
A haboob is a large dust storm typically triggered by thunderstorms or weather fronts. These walls of dust are common in flat, arid regions and can rise dramatically, turning skies brown and reducing visibility to near zero.
Airport and Power Disruptions
The storm caused significant disruption in Phoenix:
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport reported flight delays.
- Part of a terminal roof was damaged by heavy rain and wind following the dust storm.
- Crews scrambled to repair leaks and clean up standing water in passenger areas.
- More than 15,000 residents lost power, mostly in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.
Residents Describe the Impact
- Richard Filley, a retired professor in Gilbert, said the storm shook trees and knocked bird feeders down.
- Fine dust worked its way through “every little crack and space” in his home.
- Despite the chaos, he admitted haboobs can appear “spectacular and beautiful in their own way.”
Weather Context
Meteorologist Mark O’Malley of the National Weather Service in Phoenix said the event was part of Arizona’s unpredictable monsoon season.
- Phoenix itself has been drier than normal, while southeastern and north-central Arizona have seen above-average rainfall.
- “That’s typical for a monsoon,” O’Malley noted. “Very hit and miss.”
