Major aftermath concern from Hurricane Katrina...

[SouthFLTropics]

I have been thinking about the fuel situation that is currently facing our country and I feel that it is something that can be dealt with under the current conditions. What makes me nervous is, God forbid, we have another large storm head our direction making the current conditions worse. When people are evacuating or preparing for a storm during "normal" times the gas stations end up running out of gas. What is going to happen now? What will happen if South Florida, God forbid, has to evac in the next month for a large approaching storm. Or anywhere on the coast for that matter. Large scale hurricane evacuation could be extremely tough for the remainder of the season for many parts of the US coastline. I know that there were already many stations in my county alone that were out of gas as of this morning. Just some food for thought...Comments welcome.

SouthFLTropics

[sponger]

I agree. I think we should declare a national emergency and close down non essential areas for a few days to a week. While shutting down the US for a week may be hard, it would go along way to improve stock piles. Just my 2 cents

[NFLnut]

The stations are out of gas solely because people are unnecessarily panicking. There was a run on gas stations the last two days, despite the fact that gas is actually more plentiful (in Florida anyway) than it was before Katrina. This is why stations were running out. Most as of today have gas. It's the mom and pops that will take a day or two longer to get more.

[vbhoutex]

Has anyone heard about the possibility of closing some major SE airports due to the lack of fuel. I just heard it secondhand and wondered if anyone knew anything. I do know that two major pipelines that help supply the entire SE are not at full functionality, but that is about it.

[SouthFLTropics]

The stations are out of gas solely because people are unnecessarily panicking. There was a run on gas stations the last two days, despite the fact that gas is actually more plentiful (in Florida anyway) than it was before Katrina. This is why stations were running out. Most as of today have gas. It's the mom and pops that will take a day or two longer to get more.

I would agree that there is alot of panic buying going on right now that probably shouldn't be happening...My biggest concern lies in the event of another possible evac that "could" happen in the not to distant future...It is that time of year...Hopefully we won't have anymore storms making landfall this year, but after the way this year and last year have gone I wouldn't be placing any bets on that. In fact I would think that chance favors the distinct possibility that someone will face a direct threat in the next month or two at least.

[artist]

I heard last night that the Saudi's said they were gong to increase capacity to the levels we had before Katrina hit for the contribution. Therefore we would not have a shortage other than until they can get it flowing freely here again.

[Canelaw99]

Has anyone heard about the possibility of closing some major SE airports due to the lack of fuel. I just heard it secondhand and wondered if anyone knew anything. I do know that two major pipelines that help supply the entire SE are not at full functionality, but that is about it.

There was a post on this yesterday - the "out of gas" post, perhaps? Will dig a bit and make sure, then post it.

As for their being enough gas in FL, I've heard contradictory info. Our NBC news reported a couple of days ago that there was 1 wks. worth in FL ports, 1 wk. worth en route to Port Everglades, and 1 wk. worth in the tanks at Port Everglades. That's just covering the amount needed here in S. FL. Not sure what the real story is though. I do agree that a lot of the shortages are due to people panicking as well. I know I, for one, will do all I can to make sure my tank is full at all times, just in case....

EDIT: Info was in this post: http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=73055&start=0

[nholley]

Has anyone heard about the possibility of closing some major SE airports due to the lack of fuel. I just heard it secondhand and wondered if anyone knew anything. I do know that two major pipelines that help supply the entire SE are not at full functionality, but that is about it.

My wife repeated the same thing to me earlier and says she heard it from CNN. I can't find any official sources.

[thunderchief]

While long range flights could potentially be disrupted, airliners can hold enough fuel to make short range round trip flights without refueling. It decreases efficiency a bit but its less expensive than losing your entire scheduel would be. My guess is altanta is the airport in question, and alot of those delta and almost all the airtran flights are pretty short range.

[FloridaHawk82]

I have been thinking about the fuel situation that is currently facing our country and I feel that it is something that can be dealt with under the current conditions. What makes me nervous is, God forbid, we have another large storm head our direction making the current conditions worse. When people are evacuating or preparing for a storm during "normal" times the gas stations end up running out of gas. What is going to happen now? What will happen if South Florida, God forbid, has to evac in the next month for a large approaching storm. Or anywhere on the coast for that matter. Large scale hurricane evacuation could be extremely tough for the remainder of the season for many parts of the US coastline. I know that there were already many stations in my county alone that were out of gas as of this morning. Just some food for thought...Comments welcome.

SouthFLTropics

Personally, I've been riding my bike to work since Tuesday, and plan to for some time. I KNOW, I'm only one person and I only have a 10 mile round-trip in a bicycle-friendly city (Iowa City, Iowa). BUT, if everyone cut back some fuel consumption, the effect would be amazing. I also know that I'm living in La-La land thinking that the entire country is actually going to practice responsibility, but it never hurts to dream!

[jdray]

I have been thinking about the fuel situation that is currently facing our country and I feel that it is something that can be dealt with under the current conditions. What makes me nervous is, God forbid, we have another large storm head our direction making the current conditions worse. When people are evacuating or preparing for a storm during "normal" times the gas stations end up running out of gas. What is going to happen now? What will happen if South Florida, God forbid, has to evac in the next month for a large approaching storm. Or anywhere on the coast for that matter. Large scale hurricane evacuation could be extremely tough for the remainder of the season for many parts of the US coastline. I know that there were already many stations in my county alone that were out of gas as of this morning. Just some food for thought...Comments welcome.

SouthFLTropics

Personally, I've been riding my bike to work since Tuesday, and plan to for some time. I KNOW, I'm only one person and I only have a 10 mile round-trip in a bicycle-friendly city (Iowa City, Iowa). BUT, if everyone cut back some fuel consumption, the effect would be amazing. I also know that I'm living in La-La land thinking that the entire country is actually going to practice responsibility, but it never hurts to dream!

I work 26 miles one way from my house (no chance of carpooling with my hours and public transportation sucks)

I also deliver pizza part time. I can't conserve on gas, I use about 30-35 gallons a week.....

[lfrank54]

Being a good, solid liberal, I don't normally listen to Fox News, but their coverage during the hurricane has been excellent. A couple of days ago, Bill O"Reilly suggested that we begin "Gas-less Sundays." On Sunday, we wouldn't buy gas and would use as little as possible.

It struck me as a GREAT idea. Now I know that folks who have to work on Sunday might not be able to participate, but LOTS of us could. Where I live in Atlanta, I can easily take public transportation to galleries and museums.

So beginning this Sunday, I am going to refrain from consuming gasoline in my personal vehicle. Anybody care to join me?

[beenthru6]

Being a good, solid liberal, I don't normally listen to Fox News, but their coverage during the hurricane has been excellent. A couple of days ago, Bill O"Reilly suggested that we begin "Gas-less Sundays." On Sunday, we wouldn't buy gas and would use as little as possible.

It struck me as a GREAT idea. Now I know that folks who have to work on Sunday might not be able to participate, but LOTS of us could. Where I live in Atlanta, I can easily take public transportation to galleries and museums.

So beginning this Sunday, I am going to refrain from consuming gasoline in my personal vehicle. Anybody care to join me?

Sorry, as a devout Christian, God comes first, and so I will still be going to church. However, I am driving as little as possible every day of the week. No unnecessary trips anywhere, and I am combining errands and picking up necessities on the way home from work.

[HurriCat]

The stations are out of gas solely because people are unnecessarily panicking. There was a run on gas stations the last two days, despite the fact that gas is actually more plentiful (in Florida anyway) than it was before Katrina. This is why stations were running out. Most as of today have gas. It's the mom and pops that will take a day or two longer to get more.

Uhhh, I just drove home (5pm EST) and saw two 7-11s and one independant with bags on all of their pumps. Just try to get a locking gas-cap - sold out everywhere.

I think they are trying to ease the factor as to not take a big hit on what is usually a big bucks holiday for our (cough-touristeconomy!) state.

[greeng13]

I heard last night that the Saudi's said they were gong to increase capacity to the levels we had before Katrina hit for the contribution. Therefore we would not have a shortage other than until they can get it flowing freely here again.

the CRUDE oil production may go up...but there are still many refineries down...not to step on the ant pile...most reports i have seen on the news have said that although this is still a major event with consequences...gasoline should be delivered at "near normal" levels after about a week. refineries are a different story. i did read either on MSN or on FOXNEWS.com that the EU has even offered both cruse oil and gasoline (which in my mind would be refined gas)

i do believe that the "shortage" is due to:
a) panic
b) the holiday weekend
of course c) katrina--which also caused reason (a)
and d) that the price was already going up around the nation prior to this event--which has also contributed to reason (a).

and yes i did hear yesterday that atlanta, charlotte, reagan intl', and dulles were close to running out of gas for airliners...someone had posted a link to a news source claiming that yesterday i believe.

[schmita]

Being a good, solid liberal, I don't normally listen to Fox News, but their coverage during the hurricane has been excellent. A couple of days ago, Bill O"Reilly suggested that we begin "Gas-less Sundays." On Sunday, we wouldn't buy gas and would use as little as possible.

It struck me as a GREAT idea. Now I know that folks who have to work on Sunday might not be able to participate, but LOTS of us could. Where I live in Atlanta, I can easily take public transportation to galleries and museums.

So beginning this Sunday, I am going to refrain from consuming gasoline in my personal vehicle. Anybody care to join me?

Sorry, as a devout Christian, God comes first, and so I will still be going to church. However, I am driving as little as possible every day of the week. No unnecessary trips anywhere, and I am combining errands and picking up necessities on the way home from work.

Re read the post. No one said not to go to Church just not to buy gas.
I swear what is this panic about? How old are you people? Do you not remember the 70's. No gas, even license plate number, even monthly date? Only way to buy gas.
Jeez.
.

[schmita]

By the way, we pay over $4.00 a gallon here.

[Canelaw99]

How old are you people? Do you not remember the 70's. No gas, even license plate number, even monthly date? Only way to buy gas.
Jeez.
.

Sorry - was born in '76 so I wasn't around for all that. I'm not in a panic about it, but I am smart. We're approaching the peak of our 'cane season, and the smartest thing for me to do is make sure my tank is topped off always. So far I haven't noticed a shortage here in the area, so I'm not too terribly worried. However, in my mom's area in NC, there ARE stations without gas, as there are in other parts of the country. Whether this shortage is a real one, or whether it's on the part of the gas companies isn't for me to decide. I, for one, am happy that I don't have to drive to work every day as I work from home, and am able to conserve that way. Even without a shortage, the prices are just going through the roof right now.

*sigh* gotta love storm aftermaths....

[schmita]

Well, you were around, just not driving yet.
Honestly, everyone here has to take a chill pill as Brent showed us. These are the ebbs and flows of life. Things happen. None of these things is the end of the world.
After the gas crisis of the 70's oil prices went down and our cars got big again. In the 70's Datsuns were popular. Is there anyone out there born before 1960 that can help me out here guys? Datsun is now Nissan and that's when Toyota was born.
Now the rest of the world pays high gas prices and drive small, efficient cars. Not Suburbans, Expeditions etc.
They drive Toyota Corollas !! Look were I am from now! I am a New Yorker so I know. I saw the SUV's and all that.
If you want fuel efficiency you need a smaller car. Period.
For full disclosure though, I drive a HUGE SUV because I am a New Yorker, don't know how to drive great, live in an island with lots of bad potholes and in the hurricane belt. I want to know I have clearance.
Our second car will probably be an Atos or Ignis. Small fuel efficient cars that they don't even sell in the US cause none of us will buy them.

[lwg8tr]

Did anyone see the price of crude the last two days...falling. No 100 dollar a barrel like the doom and gloom media portrayed. The speculators are actually kind of worried, the ice ball effect could take hold after the refineries and oil rigs in the gulf are back on line 3-6 months. I saw Shell\Royal Dutch spokesmen stating the oil infrastructure was'nt in all that bad of shape. Ice ball for those who don't know is when a speculative market panics and the prices fall like they are sliding down an "ice ball". I hope the whores profiteering at the major oil companies, OPEC and the greedy gas wholesalers choke on their caviar and jumbo shrimp.