See 5 of the worst droughts in the United States

According to a National Climatic Data Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website, the Dust Bowl drought came in three waves: 1934, 1936 and 1939-1940. The "dust bowl" effect came when drought conditions and land management practices left topsoil susceptible to wind forces. The dry soil was lifted by the wind into clouds of dust and sand. The Dust Bowl drought hit farmers already trying to recover from economic losses suffered during the Great Depression. LiveScience reports that at least 50,000,000 acres of land were affected.