Australia's worst dust storm in 70 years blanketed the countrys east coast Wednesday in a cloud of red outback grit. The reddish pall swept into the cities of Sydney and Brisbane overnight, bringing an eerie orange dawn to Sydney.

The color was amazing, I've never seen it. I'm 72-years-old and I've never seen that in my life before. It's the first time ever.

Dust from the Lake Eyre basin in Queensland parched even further by the worst drought on record covered dozens of towns and cities as strong winds snatched up tons of sediment, threw it high into the sky and carried it hundreds of miles. Flights departing the Sydney airport were delayed and inbound flights were diverted. Experts at the New South Wales Department of Climate Change and Weather said particle concentration in Sydney's air rose to the highest on record. Some joggers and people with asthma were suffering breathing problems.

It's been unbelievable. From nearly the crack of dawn, we've had joggers come in, fit young men and women who have just had real trouble breathing.

People with respiratory conditions were advised to be cautious. The sky over the Queensland state capital of Brisbane was clogged with dust into the afternoon. Drivers switched on their headlights and police warned them to slow down as dust darkened the skies.