Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Strain Construction Supply

A man in an orange suit walking a construction site

Back-to-back devastation from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have left the construction industry concerned about meeting long-term demand during recovery. Although U.S. building material suppliers have scaled up to meet increased residential demand, industry leaders are unsure whether the market will withstand the whole hurricane season. Tight labor markets add to this concern.

Although North Carolina has avoided the worst of this hurricane season so far, the impact of Harvey and Irma along with an already existing shortage is impeding the state’s ability to find skilled construction labor.