Includes bibliographical references (p. 47) and index.

What is a drought? -- The impacts of drought -- In town and country -- Droughts of the past -- Heat waves -- Europe 1975?1976 -- Wind and dust -- Dust Bowl -- Measuring drought -- Seasons and cycles -- On the Great Plains -- Wildfires -- Deforestation -- Along the Amazon -- Desertification -- In the Sahel -- Famine -- Crisis in Africa -- Planning ahead -- Living with drought.

"A discussion of a major type of natural disaster, including descriptions of some of the most destructive; explanations of these phenomena, what causes them, and where they occur; and information about how to prepare for and survive these forces of nature. Features include an activity, glossary, list of resources, and index"--Provided by publisher.