Dust Storm Slams Phoenix, Flights Grounded and Power Cut
A fierce dust storm swept across the Valley on Sunday evening, throwing travel into chaos, knocking out power to thousands and bringing heavy rain that drenched neighbourhoods from Tempe to Mesa.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, flights were brought to a halt as visibility collapsed. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a ground stop when thunderstorms rolled in, forcing delays of more than an hour for many passengers.
By early evening, two flights had been cancelled, seven diverted, and more than 170 pushed back from schedule. Travellers were left waiting as the storm hovered.
On the roads, the scene wasn’t much better. Motorists on Interstates 10 and 17 found themselves swallowed by rolling walls of dust.
The National Weather Service issued a blunt warning: “Dust storms lead to dangerous driving conditions with visibility reduced to near zero. If driving, avoid dust storms if possible. If caught in one, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.”
BREAKING: Massive dust storm engulfs Southwest Phoenix, Arizona.
A scene straight out of the mummy. pic.twitter.com/RHXNZnrmLd
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) August 26, 2025
Residents described sudden blasts of wind hammering Tempe just after 5pm, followed within minutes by a burst of rain. In Mesa, lightning cracked across the sky while parts of Phoenix saw streets flooding in under an hour.
Power supplies quickly faltered. More than 65,000 Salt River Project customers were left in darkness, joined by over 11,000 APS customers across metro Phoenix. Repair crews were scrambled as temperatures still hovered above 100°F (around 38°C).
Officials urged drivers to remember the basics during monsoon season: slow down in rain, give yourself space, avoid braking sharply on slick asphalt, and never stop in live traffic lanes during a dust storm. The long-running “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign was rolled out once again as a reminder.
With lightning strikes cutting through the skyline, meteorologists stressed caution. “Stay in your car. A vehicle will give you protection as electricity from lightning will pass through the vehicle’s structure instead of hitting you,” the National Weather Service advised.
Forecasters say there’s still a fair chance of more storms today, though nothing on the scale of last night. After midweek, a shift in winds should sweep drier air across the desert, calming skies and nudging temperatures into the high 90s.
