Times are tough from Miami to Atlanta and beyond! Here’s a snippet from the Atlanta Constitution and Journal:
Gas remained hard to find around much of metro Atlanta on Monday morning, as lingering supply complications in the wake of two hurricanes had many motorists driving miles out of their way in a search for fuel.
Overnight deliveries replenished supplies, at least partially, at some stations that were closed Sunday. But others remained dry. And some that did have fuel, like the Shell station at Clairmont and North Decatur roads near Decatur, were running out as cars lined up during the morning rush hour.
“I should be out, maybe before noon,” said manager Andy Jiw, shortly after putting a bag over another nozzle. By 7:30 a.m., cars were lined up five and six deep behind the only two pumps with gas.
Maureen McCarthy, who lives near Emory University, waited in line as the needle on her fuel gauge hovered at empty. She was late for work.
“It’s a nightmare,” she said. “I’ve gone to four different stations. When I saw this one I was like ‘Hallellelujah.’”
State and industry officials say the problem stems from supply interruptions from the Gulf, where refineries are still rebuilding capacity after the double whammy of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, and the required use of cleaner-burning fuel in metro Atlanta. That means gas can’t be easily diverted from other areas where supplies are ample.
There were mixed signals about how soon the shortages will abate. Industry officials say refineries are rapidly restoring supply, and state officials say they’re taking steps to boost the flow. Some station owners, however, say they’ve been warned not to expect normal supplies for days to come.
23. September 2008 at 2:28 pm
Propane operated vehicles are looking better and better!
24. September 2008 at 4:35 am
This has been amazing to me. There have been several days over the past week and a half when not a single station on my 8 mile drive to work had gas. All I need is a gallon! :D
24. September 2008 at 6:30 pm
Tim: That is until propane runs out.
Eto: Try riding a bike.
24. September 2008 at 7:35 pm
We’ve got LOTS of propane and it is easy to convert gasoline vehicles to propane.
Ride a bicycle? I live in East Texas. Showing up at work soaked to the bone in sweat is not conducive to working my way up the career ladder.
26. September 2008 at 5:13 pm
This latest fuel crisis made me buy an electric scooter. And considering I was a committed car driver, that’s saying something. I’m nuts about them now.
30. September 2008 at 4:39 am
I hope that you’re not “out of gas”, too. It’s been 7 days…
Keep up the good work!–Lorenzo
30. September 2008 at 4:28 pm
The ‘crisis’ continues. Atlanta is still largely operating with closed fuel stations and those that get gas have lines 40-60 cars deep until it runs out.
The expect it will be 10/13 before the situation really begins to clear.
1. October 2008 at 7:20 pm
Ouch! Any methane powered scooter engines out there? I generate my own from the comfort of my computer chair.