1934–35 North American drought facts for kids

Excessive heat and long periods without rain, called droughts, hit the United States hard in 1934 and 1935. These problems stretched from the Rocky Mountains all the way to states like Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Middle Atlantic regions. These dry and hot times were a big part of the Dust Bowl era. They happened at the same time as the Great Depression, a period when many people in the U.S. faced tough economic times.

What Happened During the Heat and Drought?

Many U.S. states experienced record-breaking heat and dryness. These included states like Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Ohio, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Nebraska, and Louisiana. The bad conditions didn't just affect the middle of the country. They also spread to the Mid-Atlantic States, such as Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, New York State, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Even some southern New England states felt the impact.

Dust Storms and Their Reach

During 1934 and 1935, huge dust storms swept across the southern Great Plains. These storms also reached the Midwest, the Great Lakes States, and even the East Coast of the U.S.. These dust storms were a major part of the Dust Bowl. They made life very difficult for farmers and families.

Why Did the Drought Happen?

Many experts believe that the droughts might have been made worse by new farming methods. In the years before, farmers started using tractors and other farm machinery more. This changed how the land was used. Also, not enough rain fell in these areas between 1930 and 1941. The 1934–35 period was one of the driest times during this long dry spell.

How Bad Was It?

Many studies show that the 1934–35 droughts and heat waves were some of the worst of the 20th century up to that point. However, some states were hit even harder later. This happened when the 1936 North American heat waves and droughts came along. Those later events broke even more records in certain areas.

The drought was incredibly widespread. Research suggests it covered between 70% and 86% of North America. Many studies put the coverage closer to the higher number. This means a huge part of the continent was affected.

Sadly, the heat and drought led to many deaths. Between 6,000 and nearly 10,000 people died because of these extreme weather conditions.