Hurricane Harvey Has Made Gas Prices Spike Across US

“Northeast refiners are stepping in and barging supplies to the U.S. Southeast, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America to offset the lack of supply from Gulf Coast refineries and pipelines shut down due to Harvey”, added Casselano.

Furthermore, just as many (including meteorologist) thought Harvey was on it’s way east, it made a decision to give the northeast part of Texas and western Louisiana another roundhouse blow, as if to say: Take that! The sudden, dramatic spike in demand started draining the pumps before they could be replenished, according to Patrick DeHaan, an analyst at GasBuddy. The lines remain down from Houston to Hebert, Texas near the Louisiana border. But this week, help was on the way.

The tech companies, such as Gas Buddy, have released statements to the public explaining why the nation’s gas stations are raising their prices. But gas prices could continue to rise, especially in areas like the Rockies, AAA says.

“If everyone conserved, it could really stop the problem in its tracks”, he said.

But a cluster of gasoline refineries in the Chicago area have capacity to keep Wisconsin’s tanks full for the foreseeable future, DeHaan said.

Before the storm hit, Americans were consuming less than the USA was producing.

“Over 30 percent of the production is offline”. Experts predict it could rise to $2.35 or more over coming days.

“It looks like about 25 per cent of total US gasoline production is likely at risk. Unfortunately, high prices are going to be here, despite what otherwise would have been a very good September”.

On Thursday, AAA said the statewide gas price average in Texas is $2.26 for a gallon of regular unleaded; which is 12 cents more per gallon compared to this day last week.

In a week, gas in Pennsylvania has jumped by 15 cents and gas in New Jersey has increased by 18 cents, but some say they’ll make the trip to the Garden State to save money.

Tom Kloza, the founder of the Oil Price Information Service, said it would take days to resume refining. “Don’t be misled by social media, which is causing people to panic and purchase more gas than necessary”.

AAA demoted the Labor Day weekend in 2015 and no longer guesstimates the number of travelers as it does other holidays. It was $2.02 then yesterday I looked over and saw that it was $2.19.

“Don’t worry, we will not run out”, Abbott said, “and we will be back into our normal pattern before you know it”. “I wouldn’t fill up”.

“I don’t believe a week from now that this will be an issue”, Sitton said. Price increases, Walker said, show no signs of slowing down.