Ferocious sandstorm lashes Far North SA as lightning, high winds hit regions

A vicious sandstorm has lashed regional South Australia as wild weather created havoc across much of the state, resulting in apocalypse-style scenes.

A vicious sandstorm lashed outback South Australia as wild weather created havoc across much of the state, resulting in apocalypse-style scenes.

Red clouds swept through parts of the state’s Far North after 6pm on Thursday, reducing visibility to zero and forcing drivers off the Stuart Highway.

A video captured inside the freak storm shows a local man struggling to find his bearings.

“Oh sh*t,” the man, who is shrouded by dust, is recorded saying as he struggles to safety.

“It’s a f***ing tornado.”

The same day, SA skies were lit up by almost 250,000 lightning strikes that left as many as 22,000 without power as a massive storm lashed the state on Thursday night.

During the height of the storm, SA Power Networks (SAPN) recorded 400 lightning strikes a minute.

Lightning activity has slowed from a peak of 400 strikes per minute overnight and we recorded a total of around 250,000 lightning strikes across South Australia. Picture: SA Power Networks

The storm rolled in on Thursday and strong winds hit much of the state with gusts of up to 130km/h recorded at Port Pirie and Roxby Downs.

Photos taken at Mount Eba, approximately 125km northwest of Roxby Downs, show huge plumes of red dust as the storm rolled through.

Sarah Woodward captured a freak dust storm at Mount Eba, approximately 125km northwest of Roxby Downs. Picture: 7NEWS

Roxby Downs reached its strongest wind gusts on record of up to 130 km/h. Picture: Sarah Woodward, via 7NEWS

Meanwhile, BHP will be unable to mine from its Olympic Dam site for at least five to seven days after power towers connected to the operation were knocked out by storms late on Thursday, sources told The Advertiser.

Forecast for Adelaide

Saturday, October 19: Mostly sunny. S/SW winds Min – 10. Max – 22.

Sunday, October 20: Sunny. NE winds tending SW Min – 10. Max – 26.

Monday, October 21: Mostly sunny. E/NE winds Min – 15. Max – 31.

Tuesday, October 22: Becoming cloudy. NE winds tending SW Min – 19. Max – 29.

Wednesday, October 23: Partly cloudy with showers. SE/SW winds Min – 12. Max – 21.