Gas shortage?

[TJHutch]

Is there still a gas shortage in FL? Thanks!

 

[JimB.]

Not up north.

The Govenor signed an order giving him the authority to "direct" fuel shipments to certain areas of the state.

I have also read where some rationing may start in the hardest hit areas, but that does not seem to be an issue up here.

Most of the "shortages" came about from every vehicle with 4 tires in the state being fueled within a 48 hour period.

I fueled up about 4 days before Frances hit. No lines.

I fueled about about 3 days AFTER Frances hit. No lines.

I f you are driving down from up north I don't think it should be an issue. The best strategy to avoid any potential problem, IMHO, would be to fill up in the northern FL / southern GA region. And if you try to get fuel near the port, do it away from the interstate or other main arteries.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

I understand that Brevard still has some shortages, but Orange, Seminole, and Osceola are fine (the counties surrounding WDW).

Marcy

 

[figment52]

A friend of mine in Tallahassee emailed me about an hour ago and said gas in their area was being rationed. Their gas come in on tankers and they have a limted supply.

 

[MiaSRN62]

A friend of mine in Tampa emailed and told me the lines for gas are ridiculously long.

 

[Shebbieal]

Gainesville Fl has a $10 dollar ration

Naples Fl, some stations have no gas, those that have gas have no restictions on puchase.

The news here says that along I-75, and I 95, either no gas or VERY long lines.

There is also talk about making all lanes on 75 and 95 northbound only, be careful!!

Sherry

 

[westjones]

What is it like in the Port Canaveral and Orlando area?
DJ

 

[two-foxes]

My cousin in Celebration said that (and I quote) " the store shelves and gas pumps are empty!"

 

[TheGottis]

YES I can atest to the lines in Tampa - it's really hit or miss tho. Some places are packed with others are 'normal'. As to the 'rationing' - the Gov. held a press conference about 2 hours ago stating he DID NOT order any rationing. Here is a news story regarding it :

Officials: Plenty Of Gas To Last

From The Tampa Tribune -- Published: Sep 10, 2004

Florida officials moved quickly Friday afternoon to reassure residents that plenty of gasoline and diesel fuel is available to last through Hurricane Ivan, if the storm reaches the state.
The Florida Emergency Operations Center issued a news release after rumors about gas rationing spread rapidly across the state, sending motorists flocking to gas stations everywhere.

A spokeswoman with the state EOC said neither Gov. Jeb Bush nor any other state agency ordered gasoline rationing. The governor and state agencies do not have that power, she said.
Jim Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said there is enough gas to supply the state, but the panic buying might lead to a shortage.

"We've now got this massive crisis on our hands statewide,'' he said.

More than 160 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel were stored in terminals at the Port of Tampa, the Port of Jacksonville and Port Everglades on Thursday. Over the next nine days, 22 ships will deliver about 160 million more gallons of gasoline and diesel, the EOC news release said.

Make of it what you will...

 

[two-foxes]

Originally posted by two-foxes
My cousin in Celebration said that (and I quote) " the store shelves and gas pumps are empty!"

Just got off the phone with Happy Limo to change a pickup time for next week and I asked him about "gas issues." Needless to say I had to clarify myself, but he said that there is absolutely no shortage of gas and that my cousin must be trying to scare me! Perhaps preparing me for the worst, just so it seems better when we get there, perhaps!

 

[lisa702]

In my area of Lake County in Central FL, there are still gas stations without any gas. Lines were pretty long today from what I saw. I can say tho that the shelves at Walmart today were very empty, no water or milk, and very little canned goods.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by westjones
What is it like in the Port Canaveral and Orlando area?
DJ

Wjen I posted yesterday, Orlando was fine, but the weekend seems to have brought on a surge in fill ups, in anticipation of Ivan. But there is still plenty of gas here . . . for now.

 

[westjones]

Thanks! We aren't coming until next weekend, so maybe things will be calmer by then. We are trying to decide if we should just cancel the rental car and go with DCL transportation to port. I guess we will wait for a few days and see what happens.

I hope this storm passes by you guys. I can't imagine what you must be going through. I am sure it is exhausting dealing with all of this. Hopefully Ivan will be the last one for the year!

Thanks again,
DJ

 

[CatLady]

Lots of folks in Orlando are filling up... but long lines at the pumps in some areas (not the tourist areas) don't necessarily mean that there is no gas... it just means that everyone is in panic mode again.

Disney property is one of the most reliable areas of town to find gas... I've threatened to drive DH's jeep to work and have him take my car so he can fill it up when I had trouble finding gas after Charley, since they got their Hess stations replenished before other stations I saw.

The governor is making a point of getting gas along the major highways. Even mid-Frances, he was assuring everyone that the turnpike would have gas. Honestly, having evacuees running out of gas along their routes is terrible PR for Florida, and the government officials know that tourism doesn't need any more bad PR than the hurricanes are giving it!