Massive dust storm engulfs US state Arizona

Arizonans are calling it the mother of all haboobs - a mile-high wall of ominous, billowing dust that appeared to swallow Phoenix and its suburbs.

The massive dust storm, also called a "haboob" in Arabic and around Arizona, is all locals could talk about Wednesday. It moved through the state around sundown Tuesday, halting airline flights, knocking out power to nearly 10,000 people, turning swimming pools into mud pits and caking cars with dirt.

The sky was still filled with a hazy shade of brown a day later as residents washed their cars and swept sidewalks.

Text and Images: AP

Image: A giant dust storm covers Phoenix, Arizona, US on Tuesday, July 5, 2011.