A massive monsoon-driven dust storm, known as a haboob, swept through Phoenix and surrounding areas on Monday evening, plunging the city into near-total darkness. The towering wall of dust, fueled by powerful outflow winds, reduced visibility across the Valley and forced Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to report near-zero visibility conditions.

The storm brought chaos across the metropolitan region, with winds gusting up to 94 mph in San Tan Valley and 70 mph recorded at Sky Harbor. More than 15,000 residents in Maricopa County were left without power as trees were uprooted, roofs were torn off, and power lines collapsed. Several flights were delayed or grounded, while airport staff worked to clear water and debris from passenger areas. Residents described the experience as both terrifying and suffocating, with dust seeping into homes through “every little crack and space.”

Videos and images of the storm quickly went viral, showing the massive wall of dust swallowing Phoenix landmarks, including Arizona State University’s Mountain America Stadium. Locals compared the scene to an apocalyptic movie, with many expressing awe at the storm’s power. “They are kind of beautiful in their own way,” said one Gilbert resident, despite the widespread damage and disruption caused.

This was the first major dust storm of the 2025 monsoon season, which has otherwise been drier than usual. Forecasters have warned of additional storms and flash-flood risks in burn-scarred and low-lying areas across southern Arizona. The National Weather Service predicted a 40% chance of rain and scattered storms through Tuesday before conditions return to the region’s typical late-August heat.