The damage wrought by Hurricane Helene could take months to calculate but it also could be felt worldwide. The floods that roared through the mountainous western part of North Carolina devastated one town, in particular, that is known for more than just its scenic views. It’s one of the world’s largest sources of the “high-purity quartz” needed to produce semiconductors. And it could touch off another major chip shortage in the months ahead.
Hurricane Helene delivered a record punch this past week, leaving a trail of destruction from Florida’s Big Bend to the western mountain towns of North Carolina. And the impact could be felt much further away. If past natural disasters are any indication, thousands of flood-damaged vehicles could wind up being repaired just enough to put them out on the used car market. And unsuspecting buyers could be in for some major problems.