What's it like to experience a dust storm? (Phoenix, Casa Grande: living, garage door)

[sammichsammich]

So I've been reading a lot about the red Sedona dust, and thought I'd google it to see what table tops and counters can look like at their worst. To my surprise these horrifying pictures of Arizona cities being enveloped in massive dust clouds popped up. So....what's it like to actually live through one of these? How common are they (once a year, once a month, once every five years)? Are evacuations ordered when something like this rolls through? I can't imagine what it would do to your air conditioning units, and car air filters, let alone your lungs. Once the dust cloud rolls in how long until it leaves (on average), are they usually around for only a few minutes, a few hours, a few days, weeks...? How do cities weather storms like this?

[rational1]

Maybe you should ask this in the Phoenix section, because that's where the dust storms are.

[cab591]

Most of the dust storms are in the south of the state -- not up in Sedona.

They happen whenever a storm comes through. The storm front kicks up a lot of dust. They'll usually average maybe 30 minutes or so. It really isn't too bad. Your car gets dusty. You might have to change an air filter more often than someone living somewhere else, but that's about it. The monsoon rains that follow dust storms are usually more destructive than the dust itself.

The only real danger is people who drive full speed through it. When visibility drops to zero, it's best to pull over and stop.

[goolsbyjazz]

The worst part is the low visibility and being caught outside when one happens. The pictures make it look a lot worse than it is.

[Jaggy001]

In Sedona, the pollen is worse than the dust right now.

[chaparrito]

There are no dust storms in Sedona. The Chamber of Commerce would never allow such a thing to happen.

[cab591]

Originally Posted by chaparrito

There are no dust storms in Sedona. The Chamber of Commerce would never allow such a thing to happen.

No, they're fine, as long as it's a specific shade of red dust. Anything else is strictly forbidden.

[LadmoFan]

Dust storms normally occur in Phoenix. There's a lot of wind, dust, and usually a few rain drops. Dust storms and thunderstorms tend to occur at the same time. Visibility will be poor.

Valley Fever is a concern so it's wise to stay indoors, if possible.

Link: What is Valley Fever?

Hope this helps.

I was born in Phoenix and LOVED watching the dust storms.

Note: Most people who have lived in the desert have had Valley Fever and may not have known it. Symptoms are usually mild.

[beckerd2]

If you're caught outside in a dust storm, it feels like a whole bunch of sand is getting thrown at you. Its crazy wind, difficult to see and you have to close your mouth so you don't inhale it all.
It only lasts a few minutes and it usually occurs in front of a monsoon storm rolling through.

It mostly happens along the I-10 corridor by Casa Grande/Picacho Peak area because of all the open areas of desert.

[infocyde]

They are no big deal. If you are driving you pull off to the side and cut your engine (or you should anyway). They blow by in a few minutes and as beckerd2 said they usually are the lead of some sort of monsoon or weather event. Only bummer is they do get dust everywhere. If you leave windows or a garage door open be prepared for a dusting.

Strangely it seems like there are more dust storms lately then there were when I was in Phoenix earlier in life. Maybe the news just sensationalizes them more.