The document summarizes the Dust Bowl of the 1930s in the Midwestern United States. Overgrazing of cattle and years of drought turned the topsoil to dust and caused massive dust storms. The dust storms engulfed homes, farms and anything in their path, forcing many people to wear masks and causing breathing issues. By 1940, more than 2.5 million people had fled the affected regions, with nearly 10% migrating to California to escape the aftermath of the Dust Bowl.