Gas Shortages in Florida?

[stschaefer]

I am taking the family down to Disney in two days and was wondering whether there is talk of gas shortages in Florida due to the Hurricane? I have heard rumors and trying to see if there is any bite to this. Please send pixie dust to all going soon for safe trips...

- 2 days till ASMu

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Prices rising - yes.
Shortages - no.

 

[ducklite]

When I drove in to work this morning there were no lines at pumps, nor were they bagged, but prices were up to $2.89 a gallon, and probably rising.

Anne

 

[C.Ann]

An official from one of the cities in Florida (didn't pay attention to which one) was reporting on the news that there were in fact shortages of gas in some areas of Florida..

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I would imagine if there are shortages, they would definitely be in the panhandle area. With damages to the road infrastructure farther west, they are probably affected with supply as well as increased demand due to the evacuuees

 

[goudaman40]

I live in Pensacola and the only shortages we had were on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, when we were all preparing for Katrina to make landfall here.

I can tell you that the Dodge's chicken shack has gas at 2.89 & across the street at Albertsons its 2.56.

That being said - there will be shortages around us & in N. Alabama, MS, etc. When we went through Ivan - we had to drive to Mobile to get gas for generators, autos, chainsaws, etc. because gas couldn't get to us.

 

[Mears_Driver]

On the news this evening they were reporting that the Orange County School board (Orlando) only has enough gas to last until Friday (buses) and if they don't get a shipment, which they said they weren't expecting it, they would cancel all school buses beginning on Tuesday.

Side note, I just went to get gas and waited in line for 25 minutes to pay $2.69 a gallon and saw it as high as $2.87. The lines are long and people are losing their patience. Two stations that I went to were out of gas and one had a tanker there delivering fuel but people were still sitting at the pumps with the bags on the handles waiting.

I don't know if there will be a shortage, but this is not a good place to be trying to get gas right now.

 

[wdisneelvr]

Same here. I live right behind SeaWorld and our local gas station was out of regular unleaded. We had to fill up with premium. $2.81 gallon. The line was about 30 mins.

CNN just ran a segment on the gas stations in Atlanta. They are selling gas for $5.91 reg & $6.12 premium a gallon.

Not sure many people will be traveling in this region over the holiday weekend....

 

[RAD]

CNN just ran a segment on the gas stations in Atlanta. They are selling gas for $5.91 reg & $6.12 premium a gallon.

They also said that the pipelines that supply Atlanta (and much of the east coast) from the gulf coast have been shut down and they don't even have a date yet when they'll start to bring them back online. They also said that the terminal in Atlanta had only a 10 day supply of gas. When folks hear that they'll be topping off anything that can hold a drop of gas which will make matters worst.

If you're renting a car in the next week or so at MCO I think taking the fuel option might be a good idea so you don't have to worry about finding gas to refill the car with before returning it. It might cost you some $'s but it could be better then running around and waiting in line on vacation.

 

[MariaTia2]

Here in Columbia, SC obtaining gas is getting bad. Yesterday at lunch it was, $2.49, $2.59, $2.69, at lunch time it was $2.89, $2.99, and $3.09, this afternoon it is over $3.09, and at least 25 + cars trying to fill up. Many stations are out of regular and only have premium gas. Yes, everyone is filling up everything because we don't know when we will receive more gas again. Some mayors in NC are asking for city employees to take either sick or vacation time off to avoid driving to work right now. Not sure what is going to happen by this weekend, but it certainly has gotten bad here quick in 2 days. Every station I drove by tonight was packed, lined out into the streets trying to get into the station. In small towns in NC, the police are directing traffic to get into stations. So, who knows what will happen next Let's hope for the best!

 

[linda8892]

I found that on my way home from work tonight that most gas stations around the Sea World/South Orange Blossom Trail area of Orlando were charging $2.89 gallon. I did find a BP that was charging $2.79 and the 7-11 right across the street had gas for $2.59 and there was quite a line. Just a little way up on SOBT Sam's Club had it for $2.51 and I found a Sunoco directly across from Sam's that was charging $2.56, but if you used a Sunoco credit card or paid cash you got a 3 cent discount, so I wound up paying $2.53.

 

[Pinnie]

I think it will be only a matter of time before we are all going to be running into shortages. DS told me tonight that 3 gas stations in East Lansing, MI were already out of gas. Here in SE lower MI gas was $3.19 this afternoon.

pinnie

 

[paulmc80]

Hmmmm .... kinda being reminded of a song by the Kinks ... "A Gallon of Gas" Boy those guys were visionaries!

 

[Uncleromulus]

It sounds as tho at least part of these "shortages" are due to panic buying--trying for one last tank-full at a lower price. And, as usual, the news media trying to whip everyone into a frenzy. As an example--up here last night, was a HUGE line at at a station selling gas at $2.75. Right next door, gas was $2.95--and not ONE car over there!!! My guess is that even a 5-cent difference would have had similar results..
MY hunch is that once the damaged pipelines are repaired, etc, gas will be generally available--but at a VERY dear price. Stations will have to hire a permanent employee just to operate the price signs--- to be able to hike it up every 10 minutes or so---

 

[stschaefer]

Atlanta had a mad rush to the pumps. Many stores running out - but tankers coming to fill up the tanks. Governor put in place price gauging laws to put culprits in jail (one station was charging $8.99 for premium). Average price this morning is $3.10. Some stations might be out but it looks like it will be ok. Lines last night at all gas stations, but not this morning.

Leave for Orlando tomorrow after work for a week at WDW. DD(3) first trip. Hope to have gas to get down there.

 

[wfloyd]

Over on the Space Coast, several gas stations on the way to work were out of some or all grades of gas. The prices are up as well but I guess it doesn't matter if there is no gas to be had.

 

[sap1227]

I live in the Orlando area and there are quite a few stations with no gas (or are out of at least 1 grade of gas). I am so surprised about the shortage here. It is crazy!!

Christy