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Monsoon storms, haboobs cause train derailment, wreak havoc across Arizona

By Lauren Padgett, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

A mobile home was destroyed by a monsoon storm as this residence and other properties were severely damaged Monday, July 9, 2018, in Buckeye, Arizona. Photo: Ross D. Franklin/AP

By Lauren Padgett, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

PHOENIX — Parts of Arizona have been engulfed by monsoon weather this week, sending an apocalyptic-looking wall of dust across Phoenix.

The dust storm, called a haboob, limited visibility to near zero on Phoenix highways during the Monday commute, KSAZ reported.

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Tacna Haboob ----- Watch in 4k with Audio on FB! ----- Persistence paid off for me as I caught my first Haboob this monsoon season near Gila Bend yesterday but it wasn't easy! I was chasing a different storm down in Tucson when this wall of dust formed in Eloy and it was already massive by the time I was on the I-10 in Marana. I kept seeing photos from my storm chasing friends of how insane it was so I knew I had to capture it. I almost turned around after an hour of driving because I didn't think I was going to get ahead of it but I figured it would be better to kick myself for trying than not so I kept driving. Once I reached Gila Bend, there was already a ton of rain and about 5% visibility driving through all the dust and I had 20 mins before the sunset and still no sign of any clearing. It must have taken me an extra hour just to drive through the beast! I was very discouraged. Then boom! I saw the sun through the dust and I pumped my fists as I made it out of the dust. I quickly took the next exit where I saw fellow storm chasers set up on the overpass so I gave them a quick honk and set up down the road from them. 6 minutes later the haboob overtook me and we chased it further west. It was extremely difficult to get ahead of this massive haboob since I was late to the game but so happy I didn't turn around. This is the BEST haboob I've ever captured. The thing was cooking and it took me all the way to Yuma before I called it quits and drove the 4 hours back home. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it! Enjoy the BTS video on my Monsoon 2018 story highlight 🤙🏼 ———— Cameras: Sony A7s2 Canon 6D Lenses: Tamron 15-30 F/2.8 Canon 16-35 L F/2.8 Accessories: Miops Trigger for Timelapse PNY 128GB Elite SD Cards Vanguard Alta Pro 2 Carbon Fiber Tripods Music - Tony Anderson - No Place on Earth

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The National Weather Service warned drivers it was “life-threatening” to travel, as dusts reached 50 to 70 mile an hour winds and temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Tuesday, a Union Pacific train derailed on the east side of Interstate 10, just north of Marana, Arizona.

Authorities say the derailment was caused by heavy rain from a monsoon storm in southern Arizona. Northwest Fire District officials said about 20 cars went off the rails, the Arizona Republic reports.

Union Pacific train derailed in Marana, Ariz., Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Northwest Fire District officials say about 20 cars went off the rails as a strong storm was going through the Marana area near Interstate 10. (Kelly Presnell/AP)

Union Pacific train derailed in Marana, Ariz., Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Northwest Fire District officials say about 20 cars went off the rails as a strong storm was going through the Marana area near Interstate 10. (Kelly Presnell/AP)

No injuries have been reported.

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