Huge dust storm blankets north-west Queensland tow...

A huge dust storm has been captured barreling over a north-west Queensland town, enveloping it in red dust.

The storm, carried by 109km/h winds, hit the outback town of Boulia and on Sunday afternoon.

Boulia resident Leaim Shaw said it was the biggest dust storm he'd seen since moving to the outback town eight years ago.

"Well they're common but we only normally get little ones. The one yesterday afternoon is the biggest one I've seen since I've lived here. It gave me a bit of a chill," Mr Shaw said.

Residents stayed in their homes, preparing for the worst.

"You quickly shut all your windows and doors, make sure everything is tied down, trampolines and all that. I was waiting for roofs to be flown off, the damage to people's roof.

"It was about five to 10 minutes it came through, the winds were just unreal and then we had seven millimetres of rain after it."

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the dust was triggered by a severe thunderstorm that hit the state's west, with Mount Isa, Boulia and Urandangi affected by the storms.

Dust storms are triggered by strong winds in dry climates that have enough speed and power to pick up the dust, carrying it into the atmosphere.