Powerful Dust Storm Hits Arizona
A powerful dust tower, known as a Haboob, hit the southwestern state of Arizona, causing dangerous driving conditions, power outages, and airport closures. The sky above Arizona State Capital, Phoenix, was dark on Monday when the weather system entered.
Impact on Daily Life
More than 15,000 people lost power, most in Maricopa County, to which Phoenix belongs. Heavy rain and wind followed the Haboob, delaying flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and damaging a terminal roof. Arizona City, about 95 km southeast of Phoenix, also experienced the towering dust wall.
Personal Accounts
Bernae Boykin Hitesman drove her son and daughter, aged nine and eleven, when she was forced to pull her car over quickly as the storm engulfed her vehicle. "I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face when I put my hand outside," she said. "My children were really, very afraid, so I tried to be brave for them." She added that she could taste the dust and feel the strong wind rattling her car until it passed about 15 minutes later.
What is a Haboob?
A sandstorm or dust tower is often referred to as a Haboob. The name comes from North Sudan and comes from the Arabic word "Habb", which means "blowing". Now the term is used worldwide to describe the windstorm or dust tower in dry or semi-arid regions such as Phoenix in the Sonoran desert. Haboobs often occur in a thunderstorm as a result of a microburst when a strong air flow comes onto the floor and spreads in all directions. In desert regions, the microburst outflow can carry sand and dust particles at high speed and reach heights of up to 5,000 feet.
Aftermath
Richard Filley, a retired university professor who lives in Gilbert in Phoenix, said the dust tower prompted trees to sway and hit bird feeders to the ground. Fine dust found its way through "every little crack and room" in his house, he said. "You look at the photos of Haboobs and they are a spectacular natural phenomenon. They are somehow beautiful in their own way," he added.
Neighboring State Affected
On Saturday, in the neighboring state of Nevada, strong dust towers and 50 km/h wind hit Black Rock City, a temporary city built in the Black Rock Desert as part of the Burning Man Festival. The storm caused chaos at campsites and large travel delays in the area. According to reports, the organizers of the festival confirmed four minor injuries. An estimated 70,000 people will travel to Black Rock City for the festival that runs until September 1st. Dust towers can prove to be extremely dangerous for drivers if they reduce visibility. At least eight people were killed in Kansas in March after a bunch of more than 70 vehicles were caught in a dust tower.
