Phoenix dust storm: Poor visibility and power outages

Thousands of people were left without power in Phoenix, Arizona as an intense dust storm slammed the city on Monday October 3rd.

The storm began building during the afternoon. Strong, gusty winds hit the area, with 62mph gusts recorded in Deer Valley, just north of Phoenix, in Arizona.

The winds caused severe damage including tearing down trees, street signs and ripping roofs off buildings. Downed power lines also sparked roughly seven fires around the Phoenix area.

Dust storms, also known as haboobs, are caused by very strong winds, often produced by the outflow of thunderstorms. In dry regions, the winds can pull dust up from the ground into the air, creating a dust storm and dramatically reducing visibility.

Some areas are far more prone to dust storms than others due to geographical conditions, but are a common occurrence in Phoenix and the south-western USA during the summer monsoon. Central Asia, Central Africa and Australia are also often home to dust storms.