Gas prices could climb another 10 cents

You still have a lot of time to get gasoline before Hurricane Irma gets here, but prices haven’t finished climbing.

Just as Gulf Coast refineries affected by Hurricane Harvey are coming back online and rebuilding the nation’s gas supply, Hurricane Irma’s projected path toward Florida will likely prevent any reduction in pump prices this week, travel club AAA said Monday.

In fact, Florida residents should expect gas prices to increase another five to 10 cents before they begin dipping again, AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said.

The good news for South Florida: Despite heightened demand by Florida motorists topping off tanks and filling up gas cans and generators, plenty of gasoline will be coming through East Coast ports this week to replenish any depleted stations.

“Supplies are good right now” throughout the state, AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “We’re seeing some spotty outages in South Florida, as would be expected. But the ports are still open, so shipments are still coming.”

In a Tuesday morning briefing, Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief said three petroleum ships are currently at Port Everglades and two more are waiting off offshore to deliver their supplies.

“We are not aware of any fuel shortages at this time,” she said.

Jenkins said shipments from suppliers in Europe and on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard have increased supplies to help make up for the Gulf Coast capacity reduction.

As anyone who filled their tanks last week knows, prices shot up dramatically as Hurricane Harvey sat over Texas for days, throwing some refineries there offline.

Wholesale gasoline prices increased from about $1.55 before Harvey struck Texas to $2.05 on Friday before Labor Day.

In Florida, the average retail price for a gallon of unleaded gas on Monday was $2.68 — 34 cents more than a week ago.

Broward County’s average price was $2.72, a 37-cent increase over a week ago. Prices in MiamiCounty averaged $2.71 — a 36-cent hike. And Palm Beach County motorists were paying $2.78 — 40 cents more.

Florida’s attorney general activated the state’s price gouging hotline on Sunday and urges anyone who suspects price gouging to call 866-966-7226.

KATHY LASKOWSKI/STAFF Motorists wait in line to enter the Costco gas station and store on Congress Ave. in Boca Raton on Tuesday. Average prices were $2.72 in Broward County; $2.78 in Palm Beach County.