The Impact of Hurricane Helene on Transportation and the Supply Chain

Hurricane Helene left behind a devastating path of destruction at the end of September in the Southeast U.S. When the final estimates are calculated, Helene will likely go down the most expensive and deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Katrina.  

As the storm ravaged through parts of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, it demolished many roads, buildings, and businesses. Western North Carolina received the worst of the damage, and it may be months or years before the way of life in some communities in that region approaches how it was before the storm. 

Numerous rescue missions are ongoing as officials search for the missing. As of the afternoon of Oct. 4, around 670,000 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia remained without power. 

Immediate disruptions to the supply chain from Helene 

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, transportation has been significantly hampered by road closures. Entire sections of highways and smaller roads collapsed, isolating communities and making it extremely difficult for aid and supplies to reach the hardest-hit areas. This disruption is compounded by an already vulnerable supply chain.  

Before Helene hit, supply chain professionals were bracing for the potential impact of the strike at East and Gulf Coast ports by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). The combination of the hurricane’s destruction and the strike, which tentatively ended Oct. 3 but will nonetheless produce backlogs at ports, creates a precarious situation for the transportation and logistics sectors. 

With vital infrastructure wiped out, trucking routes are disrupted, and shipments have been delayed or rerouted to avoid the storm’s damage. Many expect that spot rates, which were already volatile, will react swiftly to the challenges caused by the storm, adding further uncertainty to freight operations. Moving essential goods, such as food, medical supplies, and construction materials, to affected areas may remain difficult for weeks, if not months. 

What groups are providing aid? 

Amidst the devastation and shock, numerous organizations are stepping in to assist affected communities. In western North Carolina, emergency supplies are being delivered to the areas most in need. National groups like the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, United Way, The Salvation Army, and numerous local and community-based organizations have mobilized resources to provide support and are accepting money and supplies.  

In the supply chain world, the American Logistics Aid Network is working closely with nonprofits, public sector agencies, and private sector partners to ensure aid reaches the hardest-hit regions. 

Long-term effects from Helene 

For carriers and private fleets who haul in western North Carolina, and brokers who work with fleets and shippers in the region, closures caused by Helene will cause detours well into next year. Interstate 40 near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line could be closed for up to a year. Additionally, communications capabilities in the region may be limited for the foreseeable future. 

But the long-term repercussions of Hurricane Helene on the supply chain could extend beyond road and cellphone or Wi-Fi disruptions. Spruce Pine, North Carolina, known for its quartz mines, plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor supply chain. This region’s natural resources are used in the production of microchips, and the hurricane’s flooding threatens the availability of this critical material. Any prolonged disruption to quartz production could have ripple effects across industries reliant on semiconductors. 

As communities begin the long road to recovery, transportation and logistics will be pivotal in rebuilding efforts. However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges as both the industry and affected regions adapt to the fallout from Hurricane Helene.