Written by Ben Slaughter 

As the U.S. braces for the potentially devastating impact of two looming disasters, the nation's supply chain hangs in the balance. Hurricane Helene, a rapidly strengthening Category 3 storm, is set to slam into the coast of Florida with winds reaching 120 mph. Meanwhile, thousands of dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts are preparing to strike, threatening to bring key shipping routes to a standstill.

Both of these events have the potential to cause severe disruptions to the flow of goods, leading to long-lasting shortages of food, fuel, and essential supplies. The combined threat is no longer just a distant possibility—it’s a looming reality that could affect millions across the country. Now more than ever, it’s critical to understand these threats and take steps to prepare.

Hurricane Helene: A Monster Storm Set to The U.S.

Hurricane Helene is rapidly intensifying and heading straight for the Big Bend region of Florida. With sustained winds of 120 mph, this Category 3 storm has the potential to cause catastrophic damage. Heavy rainfall of up to 15 feet, dangerous storm surges, and widespread flooding are expected to ravage the region. Power outages are already affecting over 100,000 Floridians, and as the storm approaches land, that number will only rise.

Along with the devastating local impact, Helene is likely to cripple the state's ports, including the Port of Miami and Port Everglades—two critical hubs for international trade. When these ports close, the disruption to the supply chain will be felt nationwide. In fact, East and Gulf Coast ports handle nearly 70% of all U.S. containerized exports and over 50% of containerized imports. With such a large share of the country's trade passing through these gateways, even a brief shutdown could result in billions of dollars in lost economic activity. 

East Coast Dockworkers Strike: A Major Threat to Supply Chains

At the same time, another crisis is brewing in the form of a potential strike by dockworkers at major East and Gulf Coast ports. If the strike goes ahead as planned in early October, it would be the first mass work stoppage in these ports in nearly 50 years. The impact would be immediate and severe, with millions people all across the country relying on goods from these ports.

The ripple effects from this strike would devastate the availability of food, medical supplies, and consumer goods. Together with the looming threat of Hurricane Helene, the U.S. supply chain could be pushed to the brink, causing shortages and skyrocketing prices for essential items.

Why a Strike Could Lead to Major Shortages

A strike of this scale would be the first mass work stoppage at East Coast ports in nearly 50 years, and its effects could be significant. East and Gulf Coast ports handle 68% of all U.S. containerized exports and 56% of imports, meaning even a short strike would disrupt the flow of goods both domestically and internationally.

Key industries like food, manufacturing, and oil could be hit hard. Fresh food products, such as bananas and refrigerated meat, could spoil in transit, leading to shortages and price increases. Similarly, the auto industry and pharmaceutical companies—both of which rely on just-in-time delivery of essential parts—could see delays or even production halts due to a lack of materials. For consumers, this means potential price hikes on everything from groceries to gasoline.

The global nature of modern trade means that even a few days of port shutdowns could take weeks or even months to recover from. Analysts estimate that each day of a strike could cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion, and it could take up to six days to recover for every day of a strike.