A massive haboob, or dust storm, rolled through Arizona on Monday, kicking up debris and sand with winds that hit 60 mph. The event was a pretty big “get” for photographers of all kinds, and several pics of the storm hit Twitter and Instagram soon after.
A dust storm warning was issued as visibility dropped below 1/4 of a mile, but luckily there were no injuries reported. Several trees were uprooted, however. The eerie images captured by locals have since gone viral.
This is the second big dust storm for the area since last month, and now residents are dealing with the aftermath; after the dust came a rain shower, which caused flash flooding in some parts of Arizona.
The word haboob is Arabic, and translates to “strong wind”.
I-10 at Elliot – Only the vehicle lights are visible through the dust. #PullAsideStayAlive pic.twitter.com/1IfQIWDhFD
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 27, 2013
Last night's haboob was featured on NBC's photo blog. Take a look at some of the best images captured: http://t.co/TPMOnXtSrN
— Maricopa County Air (@CleanAirMakeMor) August 27, 2013
Incredible shot from yesterday's storm! RT @chopperguyhd: Flying above the incoming #haboob headed toward Phoenix! pic.twitter.com/pmRjDAlG0U
— Visit Phoenix (@visitphoenix) August 27, 2013
Nice shot – How dark did it get? RT @ChetManly7: Phoenix haboob view from ASU campus #NBCNewsPics @ASU pic.twitter.com/gNYNavLHF6
— NBC News Pictures (@NBCNewsPictures) August 27, 2013
RT @passantino: Haboob seen south of Phoenix, Ariz., near Casa Grande (@monsoon_madness) pic.twitter.com/pxhEoBbQ2g #weather
— Tom (@NatureDad) August 27, 2013
This haboob rolled in so quickly…maybe a 3min time spread! #azwx #phoenix @DrMatt12News pic.twitter.com/rIIip3Vgdc
— Meghan Kuebler (@meyghan_ashlee) August 27, 2013
Image: @mcmurraymatt on Twitter