News on this topic
Devastation from Hurricane Helene could bring semiconductor chipmaking to a halt: The devastation in North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene could have ...
cnn.com/2024/10/02/tech/semiconductor-supply-chain-north-carolina-helene/
Devastation from Hurricane Helene could bring semiconductor chipmaking to ...
North Carolina town that produces quartz needed for tech products is devastated by Helene
apnews.com/article/north-carolina-quartz-hurricane-57153eaba12ba9dcb87bf618d72364ec
North Carolina town that produces quartz needed for tech products is ...
A tiny town just got slammed by Helene. It could massively disrupt the tech industry
npr.org/2024/09/30/nx-s1-5133462/hurricane-helene-quartz-microchips-solar-panels-spruce-pine
A tiny town just got slammed by Helene. It could massively disrupt the ...
More articles on this subject
Hundreds missing as Helene death toll rises to 135: Catastrophic flooding decimated towns, destroyed roads and cut off power in the US's south-east.
bbc.com/news/articles/cn4ywwxv34po
Hundreds missing as Helene death toll rises to 135
North Carolina floods threaten mines key to global electronics industry: The facilities in Spruce Pine, now isolated and imperiled by Helene’s floods ...
washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/10/01/flooding-north-carolina-sand-quartz-electronics-supply-chain/
North Carolina floods threaten mines key to global electronics industry
Helene takes ultrapure quartz mines offline, threatens tech supply chains: Downpours at Spruce Pine, North Carolina, have taken the biggest known deposit of ...
wired.com/story/hurricane-helene-shockwaves-semiconductor-industry-microchips-spruce-pine-north-carolina-sand-high-quality-quartz/
Helene takes ultrapure quartz mines offline, threatens tech supply chains
Your phones and computers rely on this remote mine in North Carolina. Helene just drowned it.
vox.com/climate/375404/helene-spruce-pine-quartz-chips
Your phones and computers rely on this remote mine in North Carolina ...
Helene wrecked this tiny N.C. mining town crucial to the semiconductor industry: Closures from storm damage could lead to supply-chain bottlenecks — and price ...
marketwatch.com/story/this-tiny-north-carolina-mining-town-is-crucial-to-the-semiconductor-industry-helene-just-wrecked-it-0ecd5f72
Helene wrecked this tiny N.C. mining town crucial to the semiconductor ...
Hurricane Helene barreled through a crucial chip mining area in North Carolina: Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic damage and flooding to Spruce Pine ...
theverge.com/2024/9/30/24258333/hurricane-helene-quartz-chip-mining-north-carolina-spruce-pine
Hurricane Helene barreled through a crucial chip mining area in North ...
Mine vital for making computer chips was in Hurricane Helene's path: The town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, is home to two mines that are major sources of ...
businessinsider.com/quartz-mine-computer-chips-hurricane-helene-spruce-pine-semiconductor-2024-9
Mine vital for making computer chips was in Hurricane Helene's path
Helene shuts down Spruce Pine, NC mine that is pivotal to world’s semiconductor supply
charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article293265924.html
Helene shuts down Spruce Pine, NC mine that is pivotal to world’s ...
‘We’re still living with the aftermath’: Floridians brace for fresh hurricane season
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/08/florida-hurricane-season
‘We’re still living with the aftermath’: Floridians brace for fresh ...
FEMA 'not ready' for hurricane season, internal review finds: As the Federal Emergency Management Agency prepares for the approaching hurricane season ...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/fema-ready-hurricane-season-internal-review-finds/story
FEMA 'not ready' for hurricane season, internal review finds
Family gets closure after body of man missing during Hurricane Helene recovered months later in Tennessee
cnn.com/2025/05/06/us/hurricane-helene-tennessee-missing-death
Family gets closure after body of man missing during Hurricane Helene ...
Lawmakers want answers after reporting reveals crippling vacancies at hurricane-prone National Weather Service office
cnn.com/2025/05/06/weather/national-weather-service-staffing-hurricane-houston
Lawmakers want answers after reporting reveals crippling vacancies at ...
CenterPoint Energy rate hike approved to cover May derecho costs: CenterPoint Energy will increase household rates by $1 per month to recover more than $400 ...
houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/centerpoint-rate-increase-derecho-costs-20294445.php
CenterPoint Energy rate hike approved to cover May derecho costs
Here's When Six Flags America is Closing: Six Flags America in Maryland is closing permanently. The Hurricane Harbor water park will also shut down.
newsweek.com/six-flags-america-closing-maryland-hurricane-harbor-2067087
Here's When Six Flags America is Closing
FEMA losing roughly 20% of permanent staff, including longtime leaders, ahead of hurricane season
cnn.com/2025/04/23/politics/fema-staff-cuts-hurricane-season/
FEMA losing roughly 20% of permanent staff, including longtime leaders ...
Trump Denies FEMA Aid Extension in State He Won Three Times: In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, President Donald Trump voiced sharp criticism of FEMA's ...
newsweek.com/trump-denies-fema-aid-extension-state-he-won-three-times-2058906
Trump Denies FEMA Aid Extension in State He Won Three Times
Donald Trump's 'Russiagate' Documents: Read in Full: The recently declassified materials into the FBI's 2016 election probe have been obtained by conservative ...
newsweek.com/donald-trump-russiagate-documents-crossfire-hurricane-binder-2058427
Donald Trump's 'Russiagate' Documents: Read in Full
As many as 6 hurricanes forecast to strike US this season: A new AccuWeather forecast predicts the U.S. could be bracing for a 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on ...
thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5218392-hurricanes-forecast-2026-us-season/
As many as 6 hurricanes forecast to strike US this season
4 ways forecasts are about to get worse: When a powerful thunderstorm spawns a tornado, people have what feels like only moments to gather their family and get ...
cnn.com/2025/04/04/weather/forecasts-worse-trump-cuts/
4 ways forecasts are about to get worse
HUD Undermines Two Texas Housing Discrimination Cases: The government spent years probing allegations that a Dallas HOA created rules to kick poor Black people ...
propublica.org/article/trump-hud-texas-housing-discrimination-cases-dallas-houston
HUD Undermines Two Texas Housing Discrimination Cases
Early look at hurricane season predicts over a dozen named storms. But El Niño could change things
cnn.com/2025/04/03/weather/hurricane-season-forecast-climate/
Early look at hurricane season predicts over a dozen named storms ...
After 6 months, 5 people still missing in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene
abcnews.go.com/US/after-6-months-5-people-missing-north-carolina/story
After 6 months, 5 people still missing in North Carolina following ...
Musk Targeted FEMA. Disaster-Stricken Communities Are Paying a Price.: A FEMA funding freeze illustrates the extraordinary power of Elon Musk and DOGE ...
nytimes.com/2025/03/27/us/politics/musk-fema-immigrations-doge-freeze-aid.html
Musk Targeted FEMA. Disaster-Stricken Communities Are Paying a Price.
Asheville Rising: How to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene: "GMA" returns to Asheville, North Carolina, six months after the devastation of ...
goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/asheville-rising-how-to-help-120191806
Asheville Rising: How to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene
Climate and environment updates: Plummeting satellites could alter Earth’s atmosphere
abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/climate-environment-updates/
Climate and environment updates: Plummeting satellites could alter Earth’s ...
Hurricane Center Warns Potential Storm Emerging Off Florida Coast: A disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean east of Florida has a small chance of developing into a ...
newsweek.com/florida-faces-potential-storm-march-2046322
Hurricane Center Warns Potential Storm Emerging Off Florida Coast
Insurers warn that US weather agency mass firings will hit climate risk data: Reinsurance trade group appeals to US commerce secretary Lutnick to preserve data ...
ft.com/content/33a4d1f6-848f-4b63-86c6-9330fe6f6d89
Insurers warn that US weather agency mass firings will hit climate risk ...
Fired hurricane hunter says Americans could see ‘more damage and more loss of life’ with NOAA layoffs
independent.co.uk/news/science/hurricane-watch-noaa-layoff-doge-b2715281.html
Fired hurricane hunter says Americans could see ‘more damage and more loss ...
HUD rejects Asheville’s Helene recovery efforts because of its DEI targets: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rejected Hurricane Helene ...
trib.al/7SqPvyy
HUD rejects Asheville’s Helene recovery efforts because of its DEI targets
Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark, citing storms and delays
nbcnews.app.link/uHpS5WDHIRb
Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark ...
Trump officials fire 800 employees at weather forecasting and oceans agency: The Trump administration has its government-shrinking sights set on the National ...
cnn.com/2025/02/27/politics/noaa-federal-workers-firings/
Trump officials fire 800 employees at weather forecasting and oceans ...
Tuqiri slams Super Rugby's Drua travel fiasco: "You'd think the organisers would have it sorted, given how old the competition is. It's not like a new ...
1news.co.nz/2025/03/07/tuqiri-slams-super-rugbys-drua-transport-fiasco/
Tuqiri slams Super Rugby's Drua travel fiasco
Fired NOAA workers say cuts could hinder weather forecasts and programs to keep people safe
nbcnews.com/science/science-news/noaa-workers-fired-weather-forecasts-programs-safety-rcna194568
Fired NOAA workers say cuts could hinder weather forecasts and programs to ...
‘Bad things could happen’: Meteorologist jobs cut after historic hurricane season
tampabay.com/news/weather/2025/02/28/national-weather-service-noaa-federal-employee-cuts/
‘Bad things could happen’: Meteorologist jobs cut after historic hurricane ...
Senior Leaders Are Leaving FEMA: Along with about 1,000 rank-and-file workers, FEMA is losing some of the managers most experienced in handling emergency efforts ...
nytimes.com/2025/02/27/climate/fema-trump-resignations-firings.html
Senior Leaders Are Leaving FEMA
Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the ...
npr.org/2025/02/27/nx-s1-5298738/trump-administration-layoffs-hit-noaa-the-agency-that-forecasts-weather-and-hurricanes
Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather ...
Hurricane season is 3 months away. Will it be as active as last year?: The 2025 hurricane season could be different from 2024 because of changing climate ...
washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/02/27/hurricane-season-2025-forecast-atlantic-ocean/
Hurricane season is 3 months away. Will it be as active as last year?
FEMA Is Ending Door-to-Door Canvassing in Disaster Areas: As it shifts responsibility for recovery efforts to local authorities, FEMA workers will stop knocking ...
wired.com/story/fema-ending-door-to-door-canvassing-disaster-areas/
FEMA Is Ending Door-to-Door Canvassing in Disaster Areas
Image from the original article. Source: Leader of FEMA Is Dismissed as Trump Administration Takes Aim at the Agency: The ouster of Cameron Hamilton, less than a month before the start of the hurricane ...
nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/politics/fema-cameron-hamilton.html
Leader of FEMA Is Dismissed as Trump Administration Takes Aim at the ...
Key FactsFEMA Chief Issues Stark Warning to Staff
May 09 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cbsnews.com
  • Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson warned staff in his initial meeting that he alone speaks for the agency and will not tolerate any obstruction.

  • He emphasized the importance of fulfilling the president's directives and announced a review of all internal preparations for 2025.
  • I have never read a book on leadership, but I’m fine operating in chaos and a very ambiguous environment.— David Richardson, the acting FEMA Administrator, during his first address to FEMA employees.
  • Richardson instructed staff to read two recent memos outlining assessments of FEMA's readiness and organizational structure.

  • He plans to hold a town hall in the near future to address staff questions but stressed the need for them to first read the memos.
Will hurricane season start early this year? Recent trends suggest yes: Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30 ...
cnn.com/2025/05/07/weather/hurricane-season-early-start
Will hurricane season start early this year? Recent trends suggest yes
US weather forecasting is more crippled than previously known as hurricane season nears
cnn.com/2025/05/02/weather/nws-forecasting-layoffs-trump
US weather forecasting is more crippled than previously known as hurricane ...
Warning systems for floods, hurricanes, and famine are suffering from Donald Trump’s data purge 
theverge.com/tech/656714/trump-disaster-hurricane-flood-famine-data-purge-usaid
Warning systems for floods, hurricanes, and famine are suffering from ...
Kneecap part ways with booking agency IAG: Northern Irish hip-hop group Kneecap have parted ways with the booking agency Independent Artist Group.
rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0425/1509502-kneecap/
Kneecap part ways with booking agency IAG
Scientists say NOAA cuts by Trump undermine improvements in hurricane forecasts: The Trump administration is targeting top climate and weather labs for cuts ...
npr.org/2025/04/25/nx-s1-5361474/noaa-cuts-hurricane-forecast-improvements-trump
Scientists say NOAA cuts by Trump undermine improvements in hurricane ...
FEMA hiring overhaul drives fears of agency dismantling as hurricane season nears
cbsnews.com/news/fema-hiring-overhaul-fear-agency-gutting-hurricane-season-trump/
FEMA hiring overhaul drives fears of agency dismantling as hurricane ...
Job cuts at NOAA drive concerns about extreme weather forecasts, as climate change worsens natural disasters
cbsnews.com/news/noaa-national-weather-service-job-cuts-forecast-climate-change-natural-disasters/
Job cuts at NOAA drive concerns about extreme weather forecasts ...
Image from the original article. Source: The American Weather Forecast Is in Trouble: Layoffs at NOAA will only make weather reports less reliable.
theatlantic.com/science/archive/2025/02/noaa-cuts-nws/681875/
The American Weather Forecast Is in Trouble
Key FactsNOAA Layoffs Threaten Weather Forecast Accuracy
Mar 01 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theatlantic.com
  • Layoffs at NOAA, affecting numerous employees, jeopardize the reliability of weather forecasts.

  • The National Weather Service is already struggling with staff shortages, leading to a reduction in weather data and warnings.

  • The dismissal of employees with years of experience undermines the agency's future workforce planning.

  • The ability to make accurate weather predictions is becoming increasingly important as extreme weather events rise and public risks grow.
Trump fires hundreds working on weather forecasts, satellite data and radar systems | The terminations come days before a potential severe weather outbreak in ...
washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/27/noaa-nws-mass-firings-trump-administration/
Trump fires hundreds working on weather forecasts, satellite data and ...
Image from the original article. Source: 'This is my home': NOAA layoffs impact people and projects across South Carolina: NOAA is tasked with everything from weather monitoring to researching climate ...
postandcourier.com/rising-waters/noaa-layoffs-impact-weather-projects-south-carolina/article_9e682e92-f5fb-11ef-a701-577e1049e109.html
'This is my home': NOAA layoffs impact people and projects across South ...
Key FactsNOAA Layoffs Threaten Weather Projects in South Carolina
Mar 09 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: postandcourier.com
  • NOAA layoffs have impacted many employees in South Carolina, including Stephanie Robinson, who oversaw local projects.

  • The cuts, affecting approximately 800 out of 12,000 NOAA staff, could severely compromise weather forecasting and essential research initiatives in the region.

  • Experts warn that the loss of experienced personnel may lead to decreased efficiency and innovation.

  • While the government views layoffs as necessary, those affected emphasize their commitment to public service and the adverse effects on their communities.
Hurricane names listed for 2025 Atlantic season: The list of storm names is created by the World Meteorological Organization well in advance of the hurricane ...
usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2025/03/11/hurricane-names-list-for-2025-atlantic-season/81924597007/
Hurricane names listed for 2025 Atlantic season
La Niña may end soon. What that may mean for global temperatures and hurricane season
washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/03/06/la-nina-global-warmth-coastal-el-nino/
La Niña may end soon. What that may mean for global temperatures and ...
PS6 Development Milestone Teased by AMD: AMD has once again teased its collaboration with Sony on PS6 development, stating that its release of FSR 4 is “just the ...
yahoo.com/tech/ps6-development-milestone-teased-amd-113159874.html
PS6 Development Milestone Teased by AMD
How Americans will feel the impact of Trump’s weather forecasting layoffs: Scientists and politicians are sounding the alarm about potential consequences of the ...
cnn.com/2025/03/01/weather/noaa-weather-forecast-layoffs/
How Americans will feel the impact of Trump’s weather forecasting layoffs
Trump calls for ‘termination’ of FEMA, says states should own disaster relief: Repeating false claims about the relief effort for Hurricane Helene in North ...
nydailynews.com/2025/02/11/trump-termination-fema-disaster-relief-states/
Trump calls for ‘termination’ of FEMA, says states should own disaster ...
Image from the original article. Source: National Hurricane Center Changes Storm Map to Gulf of America: The National Hurricane Center recently changed the Gulf of Mexico on its storm tracking map to ...
newsweek.com/national-hurricane-center-changes-map-gulf-mexico-donald-trump-2031486
National Hurricane Center Changes Storm Map to Gulf of America
Key FactsTrump Excludes AP Over Gulf Name Dispute
Feb 15 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theage.com.au
  • President Trump has barred the Associated Press (AP) from the White House and Air Force One for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.

  • This action has been labeled as censorship and a violation of the First Amendment rights related to free speech and press.

  • The AP described the ban as discriminatory and punitive for its reporting, while the administration insisted on adherence to the new geographic designations.

  • The AP will continue to cover White House events, but access restrictions highlight the escalating tensions between the government and the media.
Hurricane, Dog Who Protected Obama White House From Intruder, Dies at 15: The jet-black Belgian Malinois drew widespread attention a decade ago when he wrestled ...
nytimes.com/2025/02/18/us/k9-hurricane-dog-dead.html
Hurricane, Dog Who Protected Obama White House From Intruder, Dies at 15
Hurricane, the most decorated K-9 in White House history, dies at 15: The Belgian Malinois was lauded for protecting President Barack Obama and his family after ...
wapo.st/417o9cx
Hurricane, the most decorated K-9 in White House history, dies at 15
Hurricanes to hit Atlantic harder and more often, study says: Hurricanes are likely to become more frequent and more intense in both the Atlantic and eastern ...
phys.org/news/2025-02-hurricanes-atlantic-harder.html
Hurricanes to hit Atlantic harder and more often, study says
Mules that provided aid after Hurricane Helene struck down on road: Among the idyllic landscapes of Mount Ulla, North Carolina, there is a sadness wafting ...
cnn.com/2025/02/16/us/hurricane-helene-mules-struck-down-on-road/
Mules that provided aid after Hurricane Helene struck down on road
From boom to correction: 5 reasons Florida’s housing market has weakened: Condo prices are declining in 92% of Florida's housing markets, while single-family ...
fastcompany.com/91272894/housing-market-5-reasons-florida-housing-market-has-weakened
From boom to correction: 5 reasons Florida’s housing market has weakened
FEMA employee violated Hatch Act with directive to skip homes with Trump signs, OSC says
trib.al/ztAGJer
FEMA employee violated Hatch Act with directive to skip homes with Trump ...
NOAA to use "Gulf of America" in weather forecasts: The move could complicate forecasts for countries that don't recognize the new name, like Mexico.
axios.com/2025/02/13/noaa-renames-gulf-of-mexico-weather-forecasts
NOAA to use
Hidden gem of whitewater rafting faces uncertain future after Hurricane Helene: Whitewater outfitters on the Nolichucky River are facing an uncertain future ...
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hidden-gem-whitewater-rafting-faces-uncertain-future-after-118597979
Hidden gem of whitewater rafting faces uncertain future after Hurricane ...
Image from the original article. Source: Trump to sign executive order to fundamentally change or get rid of FEMA: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he would sign an executive order to begin ...
reuters.com/world/us/trump-will-sign-executive-order-fundamentally-change-or-get-rid-fema-2025-01-24/
Trump to sign executive order to fundamentally change or get rid of FEMA
Key FactsDenmark in Turmoil After Trump's Greenland Threat
Jan 24 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: newrepublic.com
  • Trump reportedly threatened to seize Greenland during a phone call with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, alarming the Danish government.

  • The call was described as aggressive and confrontational, highlighting the seriousness of Trump's intentions.

  • Danish officials expressed that the government is now in crisis mode, with citizens feeling anxious.

  • Trump's interest in Greenland may relate to its geopolitical significance and the presence of a US military base.
Life-saving weather warnings are on the line as Trump and DOGE target America’s forecasting agency
cnn.com/2025/02/05/weather/national-weather-service-job-cuts-hurricane-season/
Life-saving weather warnings are on the line as Trump and DOGE target ...
Image from the original article. Source: Trump Taps ‘Sharpiegate’ Scientist to Lead US Weather Agency: (Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration has tapped Neil Jacobs, a scientist cited for misconduct ...
yahoo.com/news/trump-taps-sharpiegate-scientist-lead-153109045.html
Trump Taps ‘Sharpiegate’ Scientist to Lead US Weather Agency
Key FactsTrump Appoints 'Sharpiegate' Scientist to NOAA Leadership
Feb 05 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abcnews.go.com
  • Donald Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), marking his second term if confirmed.

  • Jacobs gained notoriety for the 'Sharpiegate' incident, where Trump altered a weather map to falsely claim Alabama's risk from Hurricane Dorian.

  • Currently, Jacobs serves as chief science advisor for the Unified Forecast System (UFS) and advocates for open innovation in research.

  • He was recognized as a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and holds degrees in mathematics, physics, and atmospheric science.