A massive dust storm has swept across Arizona, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded at the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Local media reported over 200 departure flights were delayed as of last night, following a ground stop issued by the Federal Aviation Administration which restricted takeoffs and landings for around an hour.
The National Weather Service described the dust storm as a “haboob”.
Weather experts say haboobs frequently occur during the summer monsoon season in the southwest United States.
They happen when thunderstorms produce downdrafts that kick up dry, loose sand on the desert floor, creating a wall of dust that travels outward, spanning a much larger area than the thunderstorm itself.
Road transport was also disrupted as police reported traffic light outages and downed trees.
Some 5,700 people were also affected by power outages, local media said.
The storm also swept through Nevada’s Black Rock Desert and threatened to upend the Burning Man festival.
Footage showed people wearing face covering holding onto tent poles while others drilled the infrastructure into the ground as strong winds lashed across the area.
Accreditation: Reuters