October 9th 2024.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, many residents in Florida are taking precautions and stocking up on supplies. However, this has led to a surge in demand for fuel, causing petrol stations in several areas to run out of gas. Some residents who live in the path of the hurricane are trying to fill up their tanks before evacuating, while others who plan to stay put are filling up their generators to ensure they have power in case of an extended electricity outage.
According to GasBuddy, a fuel price tracking service, nearly 20% of petrol stations statewide were without fuel as of Tuesday evening. This is a significant increase from just 3% on Monday. With approximately 7500 stations in the state, this means that there are currently about 1477 stations without fuel. The situation is even worse in areas that are under mandatory evacuation orders, such as Fort Myers, where 70% of stations were without petrol.
Patrick De Haan, an energy analyst at GasBuddy, noted that the speed and intensity of the hurricane have made the situation even more challenging. He described it as a "game changer". Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also addressed the issue, urging residents not to panic buy or top off their tanks as it can exacerbate the shortage. He assured residents that the state is working to bring emergency supplies of gasoline to stations that have run out.
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, DeSantis stated that the state has reserve supplies of 110,000 gallons of fuel and 268,000 gallons of diesel fuel. He also mentioned that there are 1.2 million gallons of both fuels currently in route to the state. The governor also shared that 27 fuel trucks, escorted by the Florida Highway Patrol, have been dispatched to deliver fuel to stations in the anticipated impact area of the hurricane.
But the problems may not end once Hurricane Milton passes. Market experts warn that if there is damage to the Port of Tampa, a key entry point for fuel, it could continue to cause supply issues. The port is currently closed due to the storm, and it could take some time for it to reopen after the hurricane passes. This could further exacerbate the fuel shortage in the state.
Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for OPIS, explained the importance of the Port of Tampa in supplying fuel to the state. He also expressed concern about the potential damage from the hurricane and storm surge. Andy Lipow, an oil analyst, added that it could take some time for the port to reopen after the storm as the Coast Guard needs to check for debris and restore navigation buoys.
Governor DeSantis acknowledged the possibility of significant damage to the port and stated that the state is already making alternative arrangements to bring fuel into the state. He also encouraged residents to stay updated on the situation through their WhatsApp channel, where they can receive breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news without any comments or algorithm.
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