An apocalyptical ‘wall of dust’ is barreling across Chicago – so vast that it is visible from space.

Satellite imagery shows the storm swallowing highways and buildings, and plunging the city of 2.6 million people into darkness.

It has triggered visibility warnings, halted traffic, and left Chicago residents choking on dust.

The National Weather Service issued a dust storm warning, marking only the second time in history it has had to do it.

It said the dust extended along a 100-mile line from southwest of Chicago to northern Indiana, severely reducing visibility.

Emergency crews reported ‘near zero visibility’ and wind gusts of up to 60 mph.

After multiple incidents overnight, officials said: ‘DO NOT TRAVEL unless absolutely necessary, until winds subside.’

Residents in Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Ohio have been urged to brace for intense storms that could include baseball-sized hail.

The situation could spiral out of control as the weather service said ‘strong, potentially long-track tornadoes and very large hail’ could be expected.

And the threat for stronger, more damaging winds of 75mph would rise in the next 24 hours, it added.

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Photographer Brian Siegel shared footage of the fast-moving dust storm, saying that it is the first time in his life he has witnessed anything like this in Chicago.

‘In case you were wondering what a dust storm looks like in Chicago. This isn’t fog,’ he said. ‘The sun is gone and five minutes after taking this video, I am at zero visibility.

‘That’s Lincoln Park with the lake in the background and I was trying to find the Hancock building at the end.

‘Dust is down my throat and in my eyes. Haven’t seen this before.’

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