As Hurricane Milton intensifies off the west-central coast of Florida, fuel shortages have become a growing concern, with nearly 16% of the state’s gas stations running out of fuel by Tuesday morning.
GasBuddy reports that approximately 1,200 of Florida’s 7,900 gas stations have run dry as millions of residents evacuate the region in anticipation of the storm’s devastating impact.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, explained that the shortage is primarily due to the high demand for gasoline as people flee northward to avoid the storm’s path.
He emphasized that while infrastructure remains intact, fuel prices should not rise significantly because refineries are expected to remain unaffected by the storm.
Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph, is forecast to make landfall late Wednesday night.
Long gas station lines as Hurricane Milton approaches, raising concerns about fuel distribution and shortages.It will then move east-northeastward across central Florida, bringing with it the potential for catastrophic damage.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that Milton will remain an “extremely dangerous hurricane” throughout its course.
Governor Ron DeSantis assured Floridians that while fuel shortages are being reported, there is no actual fuel scarcity. The state is actively stockpiling fuel and continues to send supplies to affected areas.
Despite disruptions at the Port of Tampa, which is not receiving ships at the moment, fuel reserves at the terminal are expected to be sufficient for local distribution.
Experts are also concerned about the risk posed to fuel terminals along the Gulf Coast, which could be affected by storm surges, flooding, and power outages.
Some terminals may not be able to resume gasoline delivery until Sunday, further exacerbating the pressure on fuel supplies.