Similar to other regions of the world, drought in the United States is caused by the combination of below average precipitation and an above average persistence of high pressure over the drought area. Droughts are periodic and gradual, usually alternating with other major weather events such as heavy flooding and intensified rainfall. Certain regions in the United States are more susceptible to droughts–namely the southwestern part of the country–and have implemented a number of responses, such as Nevada’s “cash for grass” program. A number of disastrous droughts have hit the United States over the course of our country’s agricultural history. From the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s to today’s present drought, below is a list of the five largest droughts in U.S. history.
5. Northeastern Drought – 1960s
A number of short-term droughts have effected the United States throughout the later part of the 20th century. One of the worst was the Northeastern drought that lasted from 1962 until 1966. The drought actually occurred during a period when temperatures were below average, but a complete lack of rainfall caused widespread water conservation and billions of dollars lost due to crop damage and livestock death.
4. The Dry Fifties – 1950s
From 1950 to 1956, the Great Plains and southwestern United States were hit hard by a drought known as “The Dry Fifties.” Temperatures rose and rainfall plummeted, causing crop yields to fall by half in some parts of the country. During this time, Texas experienced the most severe drought in recorded history and by the end of the drought, 96 percent of the state’s counties had been declared federal disaster areas.
3. Today’s Drought – 2012-2014
An expansion of the 2010-2012 Southern United States drought, the current 2012-2014 North American drought originated in the midst of an intense record breaking heatwave and is seen by many as the worst drought since the 1950s. More than 60 percent of the continental United States is under drought, more than 1,000 counties have been declared national disaster areas, and the drought has already caused at least $30 billion in damages.
2. Drought of 1988 – 1980s
One of the worst droughts in the history of the United States, the drought of 1988 was a multi-year drought that caused $60 billion in damages. Beginning in 1987 and continuing into 1989, the drought affected only 36 percent of the country–mostly the northern Great Plains–but still managed to become the costliest drought in U.S. history. During the course of this drought, just under 800,000 acres of Yellowstone National Park burned.
1. The Dust Bowl – 1930s
The most (in)famous drought in U.S. history hit the Great Plains in three waves–1934, 1936, 1939-1940–over the course of “The Dirty Thirties.” The combination of a severe drought and the lack of dryland farming methods led to severe dust storms that caused widespread economic damages and social changes in the midst of the Great Depression. Tens of thousands of families were forced to abandon their homes while over 100 million acres of farmland were destroyed.
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