I looked at the growing dark clouds and I realized a massive storm was approaching.

What poetic device is being used?

I think it's personification.

To confirm if the poetic device being used is personification, you can analyze the given sentence. Personification is a figure of speech in which non-human objects or ideas are given human qualities or characteristics. In your sentence, the dark clouds are said to be "approaching", which is a human action. Since clouds cannot actually approach, this sentence employs personification. Therefore, your interpretation is correct - the poetic device being used is personification.