News Summary
A massive dust storm, known as a haboob, struck Phoenix leading to chaos across the city. Following it, severe thunderstorms caused destruction, power outages and disruption in daily activities. Over 60,000 customers were affected by power loss, and flight operations at the airport were significantly impacted. Emergency crews are currently addressing the aftermath and restoring essential services as weather conditions are expected to change.
Phoenix Suffers from Haboob and Monsoon Aftermath
A massive dust storm, known as a haboob, struck Phoenix on Monday, August 25, 2025, leading to near-zero visibility and widespread chaos across the city. Following the dust storm, severe thunderstorms moved into the area, bringing significant destruction, downed trees, and substantial power outages.
More than 60,000 customers in Arizona experienced power loss, primarily in Maricopa County. The Salt River Project alone reported over 40,000 customers left without power, while Arizona Public Service added approximately 7,400 outages to the total. Video footage from the scene showed the haboob enveloping homes and streets, creating an apocalyptic ambiance.
Around 7:10 p.m. local time, the National Weather Service issued dust storm and severe thunderstorm warnings for the region. With flash flood warnings in place due to the subsequent monsoon rains, drivers were warned to proceed with caution amidst the low visibility and were advised to “pull aside, stay alive.”
The storm also severely affected flight operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, resulting in 104 flight delays and the cancellation of three flights. High winds gusting up to 70 mph caused significant damage to the airport, including a shredded connector bridge. Crews were dispatched to assess leaks and removal of debris as airport operations were halted for about an hour.
Street signs trembled and debris was thrown around as the storm ravaged the city. Traffic light outages in Gilbert, Arizona, were reported, prompting authorities to urge residents to avoid non-essential travel.
Recovery Efforts and Expected Weather Changes
Emergency crews were deployed to tackle the aftermath of the storm, focusing on restoring power and clearing roadways. With storm damages still being assessed, the local population experienced interruptions in their daily activities and essential services.
Storms of this magnitude are not uncommon during Arizona’s monsoon season; however, this particular haboob was unusually severe. Haboobs can reach heights of thousands of feet and stretch for miles, dramatically impacting visibility and travel conditions.
The thunderstorms that followed the haboob brought heavy rain to the area, with some regions measuring over 2 inches of rainfall and wind speeds recorded at approximately 66 mph. This double assault on the city led to numerous road closures and prompted a temporary halt to normal operations across various sectors.
The haboob that impacted Phoenix originated following a weekend dust storm in Nevada, which affected the Burning Man festival. As of now, forecasts suggest there will be ongoing chances of thunderstorms in the days ahead, but weather conditions are expected to gradually return to dry patterns.
Authorities continue to remind residents to stay updated and remain cautious, as the region continues to recover from the disruption caused by this unprecedented natural event.
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Additional Resources
- CNN
- Wikipedia: Haboob
- Colorado Politics
- Google Search: Phoenix dust storm
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dust storm
- Fox News
- Google News: Phoenix haboob
- Weather.com
- Google Scholar: Phoenix dust storms
- The Guardian
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
