The significance of the "Dust Bowl" during the Great Depression was profound, as it compounded the economic difficulties faced by millions of Americans. Occurring during the 1930s, severe droughts and poor agricultural practices led to massive dust storms that devastated farmlands in the Southern Plains, particularly affecting states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. The environmental disaster displaced thousands of farming families, forcing many to migrate in search of work, often to California. The Dust Bowl highlighted the need for sustainable farming practices and prompted government intervention through programs aimed at soil conservation and support for affected communities.