Dust storms slow traffic in Phoenix metro area
Sep 3, 2015, 2:16 PM | Updated: 7:11 pm
(Arizona Department of Transportation Photo)
PHOENIX — Two dust storms just hours apart had drivers tapping the brake pedal across the Phoenix area on Thursday.
Traffic cameras showed dust moving into the area from the south along Interstate 10. It hit Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport about 2:15 p.m.
The airport reported minor delays.
The National Weather Service issued a blowing dust advisory for the Phoenix metro area until 3 p.m. The weather service called for gusts as high as 40 mph with visibility being cut to as low as one-quarter mile.
A second round of storms was spotted just before 5 p.m.
Very low visibility on L-202 Santan near I-10, and south toward Casa Grande. #PullAsideStayAlive pic.twitter.com/RHLwb2UWvD
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 3, 2015
524p: Isolated showers and thunderstorms continue to develop across portions of Phoenix and Tempe. Further development likely. #azwx
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 4, 2015
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for a short time. Storm clouds were developing east of downtown Phoenix.
A second blowing dust advisory expired at 7 p.m.
Salt River Project said more than 2,000 people lost power about 5:30 p.m. It was expected to be back on about 9:30 pm.
The Valley was hit hard by a storm on Monday night that left thousands without power, trees down and streets flooded. Some areas were still cleaning up from the storm as late as Thursday afternoon.
About 40 water-damaged rooms at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center remained sealed off. Phoenix VA spokeswoman Jean Schaefer said roughly 67 beds are unavailable. Impacted patients were relocated to other rooms or transferred to other facilities.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Zoo remained closed for a third straight day after numerous trees were knocked down and still need to be hauled away. No animals were injured.
The zoo plans to reopen Friday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.