The chaotic gas shortage

Posted: Monday, September 29, 2008 6:16 PM by Rina Raphael

The first inkling I had that something was amiss was when I was informed my ride would not be picking me up from the Atlanta airport. And I could forget about my plans to visit the new baby panda cub at the Atlanta zoo – there just wasn’t any gas to spare.

As Hurricane Ike shut down Gulf Coast refineries dried up interstate pipelines, the Southeast is experiencing a shocking shortage that has residents lining up for hours at the few open stations, cancelling long-distance trips, and has some doing something that completely goes against Southern tradition – skipping football games.

As someone who lives in New York City and doesn’t even own a car or worry much about gas prices, it’s both humbling and terrifying to witness 50 cars piled up for a tank of gas, a now-expensive necessity that tops most residents’ concerns. Gas goes for over $4 in Atlanta, and doesn’t show any signs of getting cheaper, but the main concern here now is not the cost, but being able to get it at all.

An Atlanta Shell station bagged its nuzzles, the local radio station updates listeners with news of sought-after open stations, and the county’s 911-center has been flooded with callers looking for open gas locations. (Watch Michelle Kosinski’s report from this morning’s show).

In the meantime, I plan to get back to the airport the same way I got here – via public transportation.

Are you experiencing lines for gas? How have your driving habits changed since prices started to rise? Are you taking more public transportation? Share your thoughts with TODAY.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

09/29/08

My plans during my days off have changed since the gas shortage, it's the only most important things of life that I drive my car for now; food, work, and church. I don't even want to go see my friends. I commute to work about 40 to 45 minutes and work twelve hour shifts. If they would let me spend the night here I would. It's very hard on everyone here in the southeast not knowing if they are going to be able to get to work or if they will get home. It does not help that everyone keeps their tanks on full; however it is survival of the fitest, or should I say fastest, to fill up. In this circumstance I do believe that Sonny should be home for this and not overseas, even if he is trying to get investors for Georgia, we need him back home, only if it's just to here word of when this will be over. The peolpe of Georgia are irrated and I don't know how much longer the south can take of this before people start stealing gas from cars, it's already happened when gas was so high this summer but now it's not only high in price but there is a lack of it. I pray that this passes quickly and the prices come back down as well.

Miranda.

Miranda Mallien, Cleveland, Ga (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 8:35 PM)

I am curious about alternative energies, I would like the today show to help educate our country about the potential for different sources of energy, like solar and wind. We seem to only hear about drilling. What are to costs and benefits of using alternatives to oil? Is it feasible we can get off of our dependence on foreign oil? When? It would be nice to see a series to help us understand what options are out there, and whether there is anything we as citizens can to to help move our country to alternatives.

Coleen Kennedy, Middleton, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:49 PM)

i live here in atlanta and the current gas shortage has definitely caused a panic among our citizens to the point where, even if a station gets the regular amount it normally would, more people are filling their tanks and simultaneously draining pumps, leaving others empty-handed. Most of the stations are getting their normal amounts but they must first regulate the amount people can buy in order to bring things back to normal in the minds of the citizens

rashad james, atlanta georgia (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:38 PM)

There is absolutely no gasoline here in parts of North and South Carolina -- I mean NONE. A palpable sense of panic and even chaos is in the air because people aren't able to get to work or do much of anything because ALL gas stations are completely empty.

Welcome to the economic crisis of 2008.

John, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 11:34 PM)

As of this evening, Atlanta is still experiencing a major shortgage of gas. 50% of the stations are closed with no gas. Long lines at others. This could have easily have been averted if the State government instituted an "odd - even" system to avoid hoarding.

Jim Crawford (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 1:09 AM)

Thank you Matt for your bi-partisan approach with the Congress members this morning. Please keep people informed with all fact so that citizens can make an informed vote on Nov. 4th!

Victoria Dallas Texas (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:25 AM)

Gas in Cobb County (a northern suburb of Atlanta) has been scarce. This past Friday evening was the worst. I waited in line for over an hour & a half to get gas at the only station (of about 12) that had gas. My tank was sitting at less than a quarter tank. Paid $3.97 which I considered an OK price. Was a good time to give my 5th grade daughter a lesson in supply & demand. She thought the whole situation was crazy & I would have to agree. The situation here is worse than it ever was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

TMontgomery, Acworth, GA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:03 AM)

Please help....I am planning a trip to Charlotte on Oct. 8th. I live in Michigan, and I am worried that we will get down there, and will not be able to get gas to get back. What are the conditions in that area?

Sue, Cassopolis, Mi. (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:03 AM)

I think nearly everyone has cut back on driving these last two weeks, I know my family has. Last week, there were days where I would go to and from work, and not one station was open. I saw a 50 car line at 11:30 last Friday.

It would have been nice if our Governor had declared an emergency so that more businesses would have taken action and more events could have been postponed, but he did nothing but insist it was all caused by panic buying.

Matt, Roswell, GA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:16 AM)

On Monday I believe the Today show reported that part of Atlanta's gas shortage difficulties were caused because the oil companies had reduced production before the hurricane because Americans had reduced consumption in recent months. I find it interesting that the oil companies had excess production available, but they simply reduced production as good Americans conserved,thus keeping prices at the pump up. Same thing that OPEC did recently to help keep gas prices where they wanted them. I suggest we phase in a 50 cent a gallon tax on gasoline and have the money be used for the bail out or for helping with health care. I would much rather give my money to the government than to oil companies whose pockets are already overflowing with cash. After all, it appears they really don't want to reduce gas prices for the consumer. They are reducing prices in our area, but it is clear to me that it is simply a pre-election ploy to try to deceive consumers into voting for Republicans who give them big tax credits. Dan in New Mexico

Dan Warren Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:32 AM)

This is another example of poor planning by those in authority. Its not like the hurricane appeared out of the blue and caught everyone off guard. Also, did authorities not realize Houston has refineries? Poor planning, poor leadership.

Dan Shive, Monroe, NC (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 10:28 AM)

we live in the panhandle of Flordia. our gas is plentiful, but high priced. I do not understand why Ga.m,s.c., and n.c. are without. Even limted to gallons per sale. This is not right.

Destin, fl.

nicky williams destin,fl 32541 (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:17 PM)

Charlotte observer has a gas station map of where gas is located - there are less than a dozen stations with gas for the whole metro area.

Florabora (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:34 PM)

We are also planning a trip to south carolina this coming weekend, have been calling everywhere up the I77 coridor checking on status of gas situation. Have heard 50/50 chance, some towns more than one hour away from charlotte say they are out of gas

karen, dearborn, michigan (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 7:20 PM)

On the morning BEFORE Ike hit the gulf coast, people in our area (WNC) rushed out to fill their tanks because the news was that prices were going to jump up. They wanted their tanks filled at the lowest price possible. It was like word of a snow storm and everyone rushing to get milk and bread. That was about 17 hours before Ike actually hit the coast. We haven't seen this happen BEFORE a hurricane hit. So the lines get emptied and then the refineries go down...didn't we create a problem before there was a problem? The snowball rolled downhill! Last week was when it was so bad in Asheville and Marion the week before. My husband makes a 45 mile commute to work at Asheville VAMC. I'm a disabled veteran and had two appointments scheduled last week. We were fortunate to have family 2 miles from the VAMC. We packed the dogs and stayed the week there. We needed to paint a garage there anyway and saving gas, we killed to birds with one stone. Yet we are having to reconsider long distance plans coming up for a long holiday weekend.

Dharma, Nebo NC (Sent Wednesday, October 01, 2008 3:15 AM)

I don't understand why we do not change to nateral gas for driving.Sense it dose not have to be refined and dose not run through pipe line solw.So what is wrong with picture?

james brown st.marys west virginia (Sent Wednesday, October 01, 2008 7:55 AM)

I have been having so many déjà vu moments of late. An unpopular war, gas lines, economic decline, foreign oil, 2 presidential candidates one a hawk the other a dove. We have been here before diplomacy, (detente)works. We needed to stick to becomming energy independant like we were supposed to be doing since the 70's. The war needs to end by any means necessary. Look at Viet Nam. What did WE gain. We need to make sure the transparency that was supposed to be on wall street since the recession of the 70's is regulated. Inspect what you expect. We all have dropped the ball. Our elected representatives need to have conversations not school ground spats.
Thanks

Sheri Robinson, Niagara Falls, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:26 AM)

this whole shortage(?)is mind boggling... are we sure its not like what happened in sw fl a few weeks ago? the media reported the gas stations running out of fuel due to hurricane ike THEN, the reality came as several gas station owners reported the reality was in fact that they were turning away fuel tankers refusing to pay the outrageous inflated prices !!! as you would guess... there is no more mention of gas shortage here in sw florida!!!

Linda Pike, North Port, FL (Sent Wednesday, October 01, 2008 11:29 AM)

I am curious as to why we don't use gas from the stragetic reserve to help the folks in the south who can't get fuel? I have to wonder what is this crisis supply for, if not a situation just such as this?

laurie lardner, st charles, mo (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 3:11 PM)

I live in SC - though there have been runs on gas, I have been able to find it without waiting in line. I agree there are stations that are out, however if you plan accordingly (car pool or drive less) and start looking before you get too low, it can be managed.

This situation does point out the poor public transporation options we have in the south.

Another Southern (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 11:28 PM)

Gas is ok in Wisconsin, yes high if u consider 3.69 a gallon cheap.The streets are turning into poverty filled ghettos,and drugs, and gangs, and violence is what Wisconsin has to offer. Remember people in God we trust.

Toby keith (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:05 AM)

I am planning to drive through the Carolinas and Georgia to get to Florida starting on Oct. 7th. Is gas supply still an issue?

Gran S. Bangor, Maine (Sent Saturday, October 04, 2008 1:44 PM)

I need some help. I live near Chattanooga and need to drive to Florida on Oct. 11. What are my chances of finding gasoline along I75 in Georgia?

Susan Baumgardner, Cleveland, TN (Sent Monday, October 06, 2008 6:48 AM)

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

More allDAY

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Syndicate This Site

Add allDAY to your news reader:

ABOUT allDAY