Extreme rain and floods 

 Extreme weather can be caused by cold fronts and hurricanes. The weather patterns can be modified and amplified by the terrain, specifically mountains. Heavy rain can have many consequences, including severe flooding, landslides, accelerated erosion, clogging of storm drains, destruction of property and crops, and destruction of the natural environment. 

Extreme drought 

Droughts are caused by an uncharacteristic lack of rainfall in a region often combined with higher temperatures. It can have devastating effects on the local environment. These include the death of crops, starvation, and, loss of wildlife. It kills grass and trees which accelerates erosion.

Rain after drought

The ground is very dry and hard after droughts. The ground can’t accept water, so any rain just runs over it, Which causes erosion and flooding. The ground is hard and compacted which chokes and crushes grass roots and kills them. Roots hold the dirt in place when rain or wind tries to erode it. Without those roots, water from rain can just run over the ground and pick up dirt with it.

Flood and drought history in the United States

The biggest flood in US history was the Mississippi levee flood in 1927. The levee could not hold back the water from the record precipitation and 27,000 square miles flooded, covering over 7 states. The biggest drought in US history was the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl was an area in the Midwest. It has devastating consequences on the agriculture in the area.