Phoenix: The Dust Storm Capital of the Country

Another dust storm covered the Phoenix area Thursday night and generated punishing winds reaching nearly 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Gusts downed trees at least a foot thick and ripped a roof off of a house, prompted the National Weather Service to issue a severe thunderstorm warning. The storm also has created hail.

Strong gusts from a microburst downed power lines, cutting power for nearly 2,000 Eloy area residents. Microbursts have reportedly blown out windows in vehicles and caused minor injuries due to power lines falling on vehicles.

The blowing dust blanketed much of the Valley Thursday night, reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile.