Let's Share Gas Shortage Info

[auntpolly]

What a time to be taking a road trip; huh?

I saw the thread about shortages in Florida, but frankly, we in the north could benefit from information about the entire south.

I saw that one shortage thread was moved to the community board, but I'm going to try to post here and on the theme parks board and take my chances with it being moved.

If anyone has information about their area of the country having shortages, will you please post and let us know?

I'll let you know of any problems I had when I get back.

 

[wfloyd]

There are some gas stations on the Space Coast of Florida that have run out of gas as of late yesterday/early this morning. Not sure if trucks are coming in to resupply or if it will be low for a while.

 

[auntpolly]

There are some gas stations on the Space Coast of Florida that have run out of gas as of late yesterday/early this morning. Not sure if trucks are coming in to resupply or if it will be low for a while.

Thank you! I feel selfish starting this thread, but I'm hoping if we get enough info like this, we can piece together some traveling help.

 

[jimmytammy]

I live in Burlington, NC which is along the I-40, I-85 route. We were informed by our Governor yesterday to conserve to the max. We live about 20 miles from a major gas storage facility that has 2 pipelines running directly from LA. Because of no electricity, these lines are 90% empty. Our gas prices rose from 2.50 to 3.50 in one day.

 

[auntpolly]

I live in Burlington, NC which is along the I-40, I-85 route. We were informed by our Governor yesterday to conserve to the max. We live about 20 miles from a major gas storage facility that has 2 pipelines running directly from LA. Because of no electricity, these lines are 90% empty. Our gas prices rose from 2.50 to 3.50 in one day.

Wow, I'm starting to feel like an unAmerican gas glutton! Maybe we should just cancel this trip! Man, I was just so in the mood for Disney!

 

[CarolA]

Well. I think hte shortage here in Columbus, GA (where I am working this week) was SELF induced. Everyone paniced yesteday and RACED to the gas stations, but this morning on my way to work.. there was gas. It cost more but it's there. Give it a day and a LOT of the "gas shortage" will disapper and then we can see where there is a real shortage as opposed to a panic induced shortage.

The local news interviewed folks.. it was so funny "why are you getting gas" Response "I saw all these folks in line and figured I better get some too" Reminded me of the old Soviet system where consumers just lined up any time they saw a line to buy anything.

 

[auntpolly]

Do you think this is all a panic over nothing sort of thing?

 

[CarolA]

I think there may very well be places with shortages. The fact is that the pipelines are down which is going to make transporting gas harder. So... depending on where you live, which pipelines service your area etc... there could easily be shortages.

And of course we have to behave...

I posted some info from the Atlanta paper on the Community Board. IDIOTS showed up with a truck full of 55 gallon barrells and proceeded to fill them up.. things like that will cause a station to run out quicker then just a few cars getting 20 gallons!

 

[wasabi girl]

I live in the Greenville, SC area. Yesterday long lines, high prices a couple of closed gas stations. There is much panic locally which caused a run on the gas stations. My brother lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area, my parents near Johnson City TN...both of them report similar situations. I have heard that the availability of gas will be better after the weekend...but I think prices may be up to stay for a while.

 

[auntpolly]

I posted some info from the Atlanta paper on the Community Board. IDIOTS showed up with a truck full of 55 gallon barrells and proceeded to fill them up.. things like that will cause a station to run out quicker then just a few cars getting 20 gallons!

I guess if we can't find gas on the way down we'll just go over to their house and get some!!!

 

[dudedisney]

People are making a bad situation worse which is a shame. There's enough heartache right now without people jacking up the prices and 'causing' a shortage.

Right now, the biggest thing that's needed is patience.

My nephew is on base in Biloxi and told his wife to quit watching the news because they're only emphasizing the worst.

 

[auntpolly]

I have heard that the availability of gas will be better after the weekend...but I think prices may be up to stay for a while.

When I suggested to DH that we cancel the trip, he said he thought it might actually help us in a way because there wouldn't be any traffic!!! I guess if the prices aren't worrying him, all I am worrying about is not getting stranded.

 

[rae662000]

There have been wide reports of possible interuptions in the gas flow as well as a price jump of 10-25 cents. I think a lot of people were concerned with not being able to get fuel and rushed to the pumps, which inturn caused a snowball effect. Not only were gas stations in different parts of the city running out of fuel all together, but there was widespread price gouging. Sometime during the day the governor called for a state of emergency on gas which made it illegal to go too far above wholesale price for your gas. Prices were raising every 30 mins and you could drive down one street and literally see gas from $2.99/gal up to $4.00/gal. But I do believe that a lot of people were just simply trying to beat the price hike such as myself. I have a big 27 gal tank truck and I did not want to pay anything close to $3.00/gal if I could help it. I was fortunate enough to get $2.67/gal before everything broke lose. The pumps have been reported to be working at 25% capacity which will mean that we should conserve some but I would not cancelled my trip if I were you, I filled my tank b/c I knew we would be driving 2 hours to catch a plane to go disney next week and I wanted to get the best price. Conserving gas is always a good idea in your normal routine and with the continual increases in gas cost I have become rather efficient in doing. No worries take your vacation enjoy.

Just my 2 cents

 

[auntpolly]

No worries take your vacation enjoy.

Just my 2 cents

I confess I feel a bit selfish over the whole thing. All this tragedy, but I'm trying to preserve my WDW trip!

 

[dismom9761]

I am trying to get all the info that I can.We leave on Monday morning.I will pay what I need to as long as I can get it.I hope everyone calms down soon.

 

[rae662000]

I confess I feel a bit selfish over the whole thing. All this tragedy, but I'm trying to preserve my WDW trip!

I understand completely.....But our part is giving to the American Red Cross...thank God for them. Unfortunately, suffering is so commonplace now..I wished that there is more we could do, but it will take time before we could do anything else. And what would be selfish is not giving and still have a vacation....believe me every little bit helps. I'm using this opportunity to explain to my kids way giving is sooo important.

 

[CaptBear]

I live in Asheville, NC and yesterday everyone started running around like their hair was on fire. I had to get gas cause I was on empty at my usual point. One station I went to ran out when I was two cars away from the pumps. I pasted four other stations on the way home before I found one that had gas. To my surprise it wasn't over $3.00 yet. I saw people topping of their tanks, and some filling up cans. Why panic. It is this behavior that causes the panic and shortages.

I also work for the fire dept. and we have been advised not to run our trucks unless we are responding on calls. We are not to take any unnessary trips.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[auntpolly]

Thanks for the info everyone! I'd like to try to keep this thread going with up to the minute news, if possible.

And rae, you are so right! We gave to Catholic Charities hurricane fund, but I should probably do the Red Cross too.

 

[CarolA]

Wonder how many people will die firey deaths when the gas cans in their trunks explode in car accidents??? That is so dangerous. I mean will I fill up the tank for the lawn equipment I go directly home and take it out....

 

[black562]

I know you think your being selfish by going on your trip, but your actually helping. Think about it, your helping the economy by spending. What hurts the economy is when everyone holds on to their money and doesn't buy anything, then it tanks. Besides, I also read that Disney gave upwards of $2.5 million to the relief efforts, so in a sense your supporting the company that is making these contributions. Like they said after 9/11, go on about your normal business, make normal purchases and keep the economy strong.

I think your also right that everyone clammered to the pumps to get the last bit of cheap gas. Our stations are at $3.09 here in West Virginia and no more than one or two cars at the pumps...granted, everyone probably filled up yesterday. I read that the pipeline is coming back online as we speak and building up more and more...besides, most of Georgia doesn't even rely on a pipeline for their fuel...they get it from the coast.

I'm leaving for Disney on Sept. 7, just six days away. I'll be staying the night in Charlotte. I think our best bet is to look for gas when we reach half a tank, just in case a few stations are out of product...but I would think the panic should be under control by that time....

What do you guys think?