PRESENTATION OUTLINE
1
While "black blizzards" menaced the Plain states in the 1930's, a massive dust storm 2 miles high traveled 2,000 miles before hitting the East Coast on May 11, 1934.
2.
The Dust bowl was a man made and natural disaster. Beginning with World War, American wheat harvests flowed like gold as demand boomed.
3
The ecosystem disruption unleashed plaques of jackrabbits and grasshoppers. If the dust storms that turned daylight to darkness weren't apocalyptic enough, seemingly biblical plaques of jackrabbits and grasshoppers descended on the Plains and destroyed whatever meager crops could grow
4
A newspaper reporter gave the dust bowl it's name. Associated Press reporter Robert Gieger opened his in April 15, 1935, dispatch with his line:"Three little words achingly familiar on a western farmer's tongue, rule life in the dust bowl of the continent if it rains.
5
The swirling dust proved deadly.People who inhaled the airborne prairie dust suffered coughing spasms, shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis and influenza.
