Gas supplies flow, but more shortages possible
Before Hurricane Irma, gas stations ran out of fuel as frightened Floridians stocked up on petrol. After the storm, fuel shortages will shift from neighborhood stations to a new venue — gas pumps along Interstate 95, Interstate 75 and Florida’s Turnpike.
Irma sparked the largest evacuation in state history, and now those who fled are returning en masse.
“We had almost 6 million people forced to evacuate their homes before Irma, which means we’ll have 6 million people coming back into the state in the coming days,” said James Miller, of the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.
The reverse exodus is boosting demand for fuel, while two other factors squeeze supply. First, widespread power outages mean many gas stations can’t pump gas. Second, fuel shipments into Florida’s ports have been on hold for days.
“People aren’t panic-pumping anymore,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. “But a lot of people are coming back, and that puts a giant strain on supply.”
The reopening of Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port of Tampa and Port Canaveral allowed new shipments to arrive at gas stations.
“We’re starting to reach the point now where we should start to see some relief,” Jenkins said.
Before Irma made landfall, Gov. Rick Scott waived some trucking regulations and provided police escorts to petrol trucks. That experience should help ease fuel deliveries now, Miller said.
“The extensive coordination we did on the front end with Governor Scott, retailers and emergency management officials will help with efficiencies post-Irma,” Miller said.