AAA offers tips for travelers in a storm

No impact on gas prices in the region expected from Hurricane Michael

PHILADELPHIA >> As Hurricane Michael slammed into Florida’s Panhandle on Wednesday, AAA Mid-Atlantic offered some guidance to travelers about potential impacts to east coast travel and gas prices as a result of the storm.

While the storm is not expected to have a direct impact on the Philadelphia region, AAA advises local travelers to plan ahead, keep an eye on weather conditions and put safety first, according to AAA Spokeswoman Kathleen Zinszer.

“If they’re flying in the next three, four, or five days, travelers should check with their travel agent about flight status before leaving for the airport. They also should check on cancellation and rebooking options now,” she said. “Even though the storm will move very quickly — what it leaves behind as far as outages, flooding and damages — remains to be seen.”

She said travelers should understand their options and have a plan.

AAA also advises travelers to review purchased travel insurance to know what coverage that insurance does or does not provide.

AAA Mid-Atlantic does not expect a gasoline shortage across the country as a result of the storm, according to Zinszer. She added that the severity of the storm will determine access to fuel supply and impact on gas prices in Florida and Georgia.

“There could be some temporary spikes in some areas in the storm’s path, but it’s not expected to impact critical gulf coast refineries,” she said.

According to AAA’s daily gas pricing report, the average gas price across the five-county Philadelphia area on Wednesday was $3.06 per gallon, up a penny in the last week. Last year, the average price was $2.68 per gallon across the region. The all-time highest recorded price in the five-county Philadelphia area was $4.16 per gallon, recorded on June 20, 2008.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of gas Wednesday $2.91, up a penny in the last week.

Hurricane Michael came ashore Wednesday in Mexico Beach, Fla., just east of Panama City Beach as a strong Category 4 storm, with winds of 155 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, as the storm moves away from Florida, strong storm conditions will impact Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina. As of Wednesday afternoon, Tropical Storm watches and warnings were in place in several southeastern states.

“If they’re flying in the next three, four, or five days, travelers should check with their travel agent about flight status before leaving for the airport. They also should check on cancellation and rebooking options now.” — Kathleen Kinszer, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman

DEVON RAVINE — NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS VIA AP AAA Mid-Atlantic offered some tips Wednesday for people who may be traveling in the next several days to areas hit by Hurricane Michael.

DONNA ROVINS — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA AAA Mid-Atlantic said Wednesday that Hurricane Michael could have an impact on travel in the coming days. But the travel agency does not expect price surges or shortages of gasoline in the tri-county region.