Closures from storm damage could lead to supply-chain bottlenecks — and price increases — for the chips used in smartphones, computers and cars.

Operations at a quartz mine in western North Carolina have been shut down for more than five days after Hurricane Helene dumped 2 feet of rain on the town of Spruce Pine, washing out roads and cutting power to an area with an industry critical to semiconductor manufacturing across the world.

Medtech company Baxter International has closed its largest manufacturing facility due to the impact of flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Hurricane Helene, which recently hit North Carolina, caused severe flooding and damage across a vast swath. Among the areas affected is the small town of Spruce Pine, which is home to high-purity quartz mines,

Operations at a crucial facility for the semiconductor industry in North Carolina have now been stopped for five days as the state recovers from the devastation brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Helene over the weekend.