Florida Gas Stations Face Severe Fuel Shortages Amid Hurricane Milton

Florida is grappling with severe fuel shortages as Hurricane Milton approaches the state. The storm has accelerated demand for gasoline, leading to widespread outages across the state's nearly 8,000 gas stations. This situation is particularly dire in regions under mandatory evacuation orders, where residents are racing to fill their tanks before the storm hits.

According to GasBuddy, a service that monitors fuel prices, nearly 14% of gas stations statewide were out of fuel by morning on October 9, 2024. This represents over 1,000 stations without gasoline, a significant increase from just 3% reported on Monday. The Fort Myers area on the Gulf Coast has been particularly hard hit, with 70% of stations running dry by Monday night.

Governor Ron DeSantis has attempted to quell the surge in panic buying and the practice of topping off tanks, which can exacerbate shortages. In a press briefing on Tuesday morning, he reassured residents that the state is mobilizing emergency gasoline supplies to stations that have run out. DeSantis noted that the state maintains reserves of 110,000 gallons of gasoline and 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The Port of Tampa, a primary entry point for much of the state's gasoline, is vulnerable to damage from the hurricane. Experts warn that if the port sustains significant damage, it could disrupt fuel deliveries for several weeks. Currently, 27 fuel trucks have been escorted by the Florida Highway Patrol to ensure delivery to stations in areas expected to be affected by the storm.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that there are no pipelines transporting gasoline from refineries located on the Gulf Coast or in northern states. Fuel is primarily moved around the country via tanker or barge, making the Port of Tampa crucial for supplying much of the state.

Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, warned that things might get worse before they get better. 'The consumer will be headed to the gas station to fill up sooner than resupply will come into the area,' he said. However, Lipow also noted that by next week, things should improve as more tanker ships arrive with fuel supplies.

The National Hurricane Center expects Hurricane Milton to hit Florida's west coast late Wednesday into early Thursday. The storm's rapid advancement and severity have led to a transformative event in terms of fuel demand and supply chain disruptions.

In Tampa and St. Petersburg, nearly 63% of gas stations were without fuel as of Thursday morning, according to GasBuddy data. Sarasota reported about 44%, while Fort Myers and Naples had 37% and 36.5% of stations out of fuel, respectively. Gainesville also faced significant shortages with 36.5% of stations without gasoline.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has assured residents that more fuel is on the way. 'We have been dispatching fuel over the past 24 hours as gas stations have run out,' he said during a news conference. 'We have an additional 1.2 million gallons of both diesel and gasoline that is currently en route to the state of Florida.'

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that while technically correct, the governor's assertion doesn't necessarily address the immediate needs of residents. 'You can't tell someone outside a pump with no gas that there's no shortage,' he said. The issue lies in the system's inability to keep up with demand.

De Haan further explained that some stations could be out of fuel for up to 24 hours, while others might take only an hour or two to replenish. He advised those without an immediate need for gas not to rush to fill up, as this is not an event that would cause gas prices to skyrocket.

Residents like Chris Cain, who were preparing to evacuate Sanibel Island with his girlfriend and 8-month-old daughter, faced congested roads and fuel outages. 'Every highway is dead-stop traffic it seems,' Cain said. 'There are fuel outages throughout the area, so there's navigating that to even get to' the hotel 20 miles inland that they booked earlier in the week.

The situation highlights the critical role of emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience in times of natural disasters. As Florida continues to face these challenges, it remains crucial for residents and authorities alike to stay informed about the evolving situation.

In conclusion, while efforts are being made to address the fuel shortages, it is clear that this crisis will take days to resolve. The state's reliance on waterborne supply makes it particularly vulnerable to disruptions caused by hurricanes like Milton.