Hail Storm Blasts Through Library Doors in Phoenix

Howling winds and hail blasted through the doors of a Phoenix library on Wednesday afternoon, turning the street outside into a white wall as a rare storm swept across the city.

X user Sam filmed the scene from inside the lobby on October 21, writing “Phoenix as I have never seen it before.” The doors swing open in the gale as rain and hail pour across the entrance, soaking the floor beside a “Cooling Center” sign, while a security guard battles to push them shut.

The National Weather Service warned of golf ball-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts across Maricopa County that afternoon. In north Phoenix, near 19th Avenue and Peoria Avenue, hail shattered apartment windows, smashed windshields and dented cars, and strong winds brought down large trees.

More than 2,400 APS customers and nearly 2,000 SRP customers lost power. No injuries were reported.