❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now

The impact of recent hurricanes will play out in the economic data

Mitchell Hartman Sep 18, 2017
HTML EMBED:
COPY

The impact of recent hurricanes will play out in the economic data

Mitchell Hartman Sep 18, 2017
HTML EMBED:
COPY

Some economic stats released in recent weeks have — hidden within them — hurricane disruption devastation stats. Industrial production was down 0.9 percent in August — a lot of that due to Hurricane Harvey hitting Houston, with its huge oil and gas refineries and chemical factories. Utility use was down — people didn’t have electricity for a while in the Houston area and across the State of Florida. Retail sales in August were also lower than originally expected — fewer autos were sold, because who’s new car shopping during a hurricane?  On the other hand, the value of gasoline sales rose, with the price spiking 0.25 to 0.30 cents per gallon, again, because of Harvey. And Hurricane Irma’s impact hasn’t shown up yet in the monthly data released thus far — but certainly will for September and October.

Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.