Strong to severe thunderstorm development had occured in the early afternoon hours of July 5th near the Tucson, AZ area and east of Tucson. As thunderstorms dissipated and began moving northwest, outflows from these storms began producing very strong downburst winds, some in excess of 70 mph. Around 6:30pm MST, the NWS Phoenix office began receiving calls of dust moving into the Casa Grande, AZ area, about 50 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix. Upon examining radar data, it is estimated the dust storm reached a maximum height of 5000 feet to 6000 feet, the aerial coverage was close to 100 miles and the distance traveled was around 150 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 20:30:00 to 05-JUL-11 20:35:00 (MST-7)
Location: VALENCIA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 600.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Thunderstorms with damaging microburst winds moved across the town of Buckeye during the evening hours on July 5th. Wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 knots ripped away a 5 foot wide section of the roof of Youngker high school in Buckeye. According to Jeff Simmons, Buckeye Union High School District business manager, falling debris shattered at least 2 windows on the adjacent administrative building. After the roof was damaged, rain damaged 10 classrooms at the school. Further to the south, the microburst winds toppled the Buckeye Police Department's 60 foot communications tower, crushing a shaded parking structure near the police offices. Finally, 30 trees near the Youngker campus were damaged by the thunderstorms. The school district's insurance company estimate roof repairs could reach 500 thousand dollars. A new communications tower will cost approximately 100 thousand dollars.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 19:30:00 to 05-JUL-11 19:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: GILA BEND
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The official weather station at Gila Bend reported a peak wind gust of 57 knots at 730 pm, associated with the haboob moving westward across the central deserts. Visibility was measured at 1/16 of a mile in dense blowing dust.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 20:30:00 to 05-JUL-11 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: FALFA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A massive haboob moved across the greater Phoenix area during the evening hours on July 5, and winds were reported to be in excess of 50 knots. A trained weather spotter reported that the strong winds associated with the dust storm caused a carport to collapse near the intersection of McClintock and Ray roads.

Dust Storm in GREATER PHOENIX AREA, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 19:20:00 to 05-JUL-11 20:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong thunderstorms developed to the southeast of the greater Phoenix area during the afternoon hours on July 5. As the storms dissipated and moved towards the northwest, rain-cooled outflows picked up copious amounts of dust and dirt and generated a massive haboob which raced northwestward and across the greater Phoenix area during the evening hours. The haboob was considered to be of historic proportions; it measured at least 100 miles in length, was over one mile high and moved across the deserts at more than 50 mph. Peak wind speeds within the haboob reached 70 mph or more. Numerous trained weather spotters from across the greater Phoenix area reported visibilities down to near zero miles, in many cases visibilities were less than 50 yards. During the storm, the Buckeye fire department responded to a weather related multi-vehicle accident at Interstate 10 and Watson road in Buckeye. Thirteen people suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Due to the massive amount of topsoil that was stirred up by the haboob, area Physicians and medical personnel warned that there could be a sharp rise in new Valley Fever cases among those exposed to the dust. Valley Fever is a fungal infection caused by inhalation of spores that reside in the stirred up topsoil.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 19:45:00 to 05-JUL-11 19:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: HIGHTOWN
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Strong thunderstorms southeast of the greater Phoenix area generated microburst winds that moved to the northwest and into the southeast portions of the Phoenix metropolitan area. An amateur radio operator reported a peak wind gust measured at 59 mph. The strong winds generated dense blowing dust with near zero visibility, but no damage was reported.

Dust Storm in CENTRAL DESERTS, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 18:30:00 to 05-JUL-11 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Very strong thunderstorms developed southeast of the greater Phoenix area and north of Tucson during the late afternoon hours on July 5th. The storms produced gusty outflow winds in excess of 50 mph which moved to the northwest and across northwest Pinal county. The strong winds generated dense blowing dust which turned into a massive haboob more than one mile high. A number of weather spotters reported visibilities down to near zero miles, with winds between 35 and 55 mph. At 645 pm, a trained spotter near Arizona City reported zero visibility with winds gusting up to 55 mph. Another spotter in Johnson Ranch reported visibility down to 150 feet with winds 30 mph or greater. The massive haboob significantly disrupted traffic across northwest Pinal county during the early evening hours.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARICOPA, ARIZONA
From 05-JUL-11 19:32:00 to 05-JUL-11 19:35:00 (MST-7)
Location: OCOTILLO
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong thunderstorms to the southeast of the greater Phoenix area generated microburst winds that moved to the northwest and into the Phoenix metropolitan area. A trained weather spotter at Gilbert and Riggs Road measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph. Other spotter reports in the area reported winds estimated between 50 and 65 mph. The official weather station at Chandler measured a 50 knot gust at 8 pm, and another 50 knot gust was recorded by the Goodyear sensor a 847 pm. The winds generated dense blowing dust, and damaged a number of trees. 10 trees were uprooted or damaged at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. Downed trees were also reported long Ivanhoe road in west Chandler, Chandler Heights road, and Pleasant Drive and Alma School roads. Additionally,  the strong winds at Chandler airport blew a plane loose from its moorings and caused it to flip over. The flipped plane then blew into a nearby chain link fence and damaged 100 feet of the barrier.