Giant wall of dust wreaks havoc on metro Phoenix

A powerful storm kicked up a towering wall of dust that rolled through metro Phoenix, darkening the sky, blinding drivers, knocking out power and grounding flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

- Ross FRANKLIN AND HALLIE GOLDEN

THE DUST storm, called a haboob, caused power outages and air travel delays.

Bernae Boykin Hitesman was driving her son and daughter, ages 9 and Il, respectively, home from school when the storm, known as a haboob, arrived late Monday afternoon in Arizona City, about 60 miles southeast of Phoenix.

She had to quickly pull over as the storm engulfed her car. “I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face if I put my hand outside,” she said.

Boykin Hitesman said she could taste the dust and feel the strong wind rattling her car until it finally passed about 15 minutes later.

“I was nervous,” she said.