1. The “Dust Bowl” aka the Dirty Thirties

2. When

3. Description…
A period of sever dust storms that caused major ecological and agricultural damage to hundreds of millions of acres of the Great Plains and was detrimental to the economy. This phenomenon also forced thousands of families out of their homes and to migrate west.

4. Where.. - Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota

5. How it all started… Severe dust storms mixed with;
Drought; an extensive/ hazardous period of no rain.
Extensive farming w/out crop rotation; the practice of growing multiple crops in the same area in sequential seasons.
Deep plowing of top soil; this displaced the natural grasses that would normally keep soil in place and trap moisture in.

6. Deaths and inconveniences..
Due to inaccurate record keeping, only estimates of deaths could be used, and these go as high as 7,000.
At least 2.5 million people were left homeless and forced to move.

7. Drought -In the 1930s, drought covered virtually the entire Plains for almost a decade.

8. Agriculture - Animals suffocated do to lack of food and drought.
-Dust piled on all surfaces and couldn’t be kept out of homes.
-Crops were covered with dust and did not grow.
-The drought even caused the Great Lakes to set record-breaking low-water levels.

9. Black Blizzards In 1932 there was a recorded 14 dust storms
In 1933 there were 38 reported dust storms
And in 1937 there were 134.
The dust was so thick that you could barely see your surroundings, earning their name ”Black Blizzards.

10. Social Economic Ripples
Millions migrated from drought areas, most headed west.
Competed with locals for jobs
Migrants added to and overburdened relief and health agencies.

11. Cost of Dust Bowl Hard to determine because of the Great Depression.
Approximately $1 billion
1 in 10 farms changed possession involuntary

12. Federal Aid
Bulletin by the Works Progress Administration reported that 21% of Great Plains families received federal aid.
Several Farmers voluntary deeded their farms to creditors
Others were forced to leave.

14. References
Ahrens, Donald C. Meteorology Today, Ch. 9 Pg 231, Canada 2009.

15. The “Dust Bowl” aka The Dirty Thirties
The “Dust Bowl” aka The Dirty Thirties
The beginning;
Description;
What the “Dust Bowl” actually was
Introduction;
Where the “Dust Bow” happened
When this phenomenon occurred
How it all started
Death’s and inconveniences
Weather Patterns;
Associated with the “Dust Bowl”
Drought
Agricultural
Black Blizzards
Geographical views
Maps and locations
Conclusion;
Lasting effects
Economy
Property Damage/ Cost
Federal aid