As ferocious winds sweep across the western half of the US this week, meteorologists are reminding people to take safety precautions. A new documentary shows the terrifying history of haboobs in “Decade Of Dust.”
What is a haboob?
Simply put, haboobs are powerful dust storms. Most people who may have heard of haboobs don’t realize that they also occur in the US. Likely, they watched the National Geographic or Travel Channel and associated them with Africa, mainly northern Africa. But a lot of Americans have never heard of haboobs unless they live in the Southwest. Haboobs are pretty common in Arizona and Nevada.
Haboob: A decade of dust
A just-released documentary by storm chasing photographer Mike Olbinski has resulted in a time-lapse compilation of epic-dust storms that swept through Phoenix, Arizona, over the past decade.
The film captures the soaring wall of dust towering over the skyscrapers of downtown Phoenix as they encroach upon the hapless city below.
The four-minute short film, entitled “Haboob: A decade of dust” was released on YouTube on Monday.
Photographer become storm chaser
Olbinski first began photographing haboobs in 2011, when a historic storm slammed Phoenix, PetaPixel reports. The website features several equally stunning and frightening pictures of haboobs captured over a decade.
After audiences responded enthusiastically to his first-ever haboob post, Olbinski decided to keep taking time-lapse footage of dust and storms.
That led to a career in time-lapse photography, particularly with storms. Along the way, Olbinski also became a bona fide storm chaser. He now advises other production companies on how to capture storms on film.
“Forecasting dust storms is the result of years of practice figuring out the best areas for them to occur, the most ideal patterns in which they happen and how to chase/stay in front of them,” Olbinski told PetaPixel. “After all these years, it’s like second nature, and it’s exhilarating at times, especially when they are awesome.”
Haboob , dust, and wind safety
This week, spanning from the central US to the West Coast, strong winds and red flag alerts are raising the alarm over potential haboobs. Meteorologists are reminding people to review haboob and dust storm safety this week.
A haboob is not something you can outrun – the wall of dust is too massive. Therefore, if you see a haboob in the distance, start looking for a safe place indoors to take shelter immediately until the storm passes.
Make sure to turn off all AC units so that dust doesn’t get drawn inside and close all windows.
If you are driving, find a safe place, pull over, and get off the roadway as soon as possible. According to the NOAA, make sure to pull your vehicle as far off the pavement so that other cars do not run into yours. Make sure you are away from trees, traffic lights, and power lines.
At home, secure items outdoors using sandbags, stakes, or ties, the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue advises, KTNV reported. Keep a flashlight handy and your phone fully charged.
