Major Gas Shortage in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
The shortage began with panic just as Hurricane Ike was pounding the gulf coast. Drivers simply drained the gasoline supply last weekend and many gas stations couldn't get replenished after the hurricane's coastal devastation. The gas stations that are under contract with major gas distributors receive their supply first according to the Tennessee Oil Marketers Association. The other gas stations without a contract are left to shop around to try to find a supplier. The gas pipelines from the gulf where Nashville and middle Tennessee receive fuel are pumping at only about 25% capacity. Other parts of Tennessee are supplied by different pipelines and aren't experiencing the shortages.
Price gouging in Nashville and middle Tennessee was frequent in the first few days following Hurricane Ike. If there was gas to be found in Nashville and the surrounding towns, it was priced approximately $5.00 per gallon for regular unleaded. This caused many drivers to wait as long as possible to begin refueling their vehicles. As the prices dropped again this week, consumers were eagerly in line at the gas stations starting yesterday with prices averaging $3.80 per gallon. Only this time it was out of necessity.
I've never seen lines like the ones I saw Friday evening and this morning at Nashville and middle Tennessee gas pumps. Every store that actually had gasoline available for purchase yesterday and today became chaotic parking lots. I literally couldn't see where the lines began or ended. Often the lines of cars that I witnessed stretched for long distances, often forming lines down the side of roadways.
At times, southern hospitality was about as hard to come by as the sought after fuel as tempers often flared from sheer frustration. At other times, I witnessed people coming together when needed to push vehicles out of harms way as their car used the last drop of gasoline in the tank.
But the vast majority of gas pumps I witnessed were sitting idly with either bags covering the handles or signs that simply stated, "Pumps Closed." There is no gas available at most Nashville and middle Tennessee locations. If gas wasn't purchased at the few locations when it was available, then the odds of buying gas in the next few days look grim. Tennessee's Gov. Phil Bredesen has asked for all drivers to do their part to conserve gas and to not drive at all unless absolutely necessary. I have no problem heeding that advice, I only have about 1/4 tank of gas left in my vehicle and not a clue where to purchase more.
Published by Donna Kay - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Donna Kay is an avid DIY home and garden enthusiast. She enjoys making a house feel beautiful, inviting and comfortable, but doing it all very inexpensively. As a long time homeowner, Donna has learned a thi... View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentYou hardly know what to think or believe sometimes.
Crazy and sad.
Crazy.
Hi! I don't think the problems will change very soon. I wonder what the gas people are predicting.
www.associatedcontent.com/article/1050657/got_gas_nashville_atlanta_suffering.html
Here's the link to my original article on the Nashville (and Atlanta) gas crisis, which was posted fully 4 days before this one, but contains much the same information. What makes it more informative are the posts on it from those affected in the Southland, reaching from Atlanta to North Carolina (which is posted on the subsequent article I posted on the Atlanta situation.) I'm trying to figure out how this article, which I posted fully 5 days earlier, was not considered "important" then, but is "important" now....closing in on a week later. There is another story since then, with yet more posts from average people affected in those cities. Check it out.
I handed this article in about 3 days ago. The shortage has spread to Atlanta and, in the latest posting on my original article, I learned that it is also happening in North Carolina.
insane.
Wow that is like Aaron said Crazy. I lived in Alabama when Katrina hit we had gasoline within a week If I recall right. But then again we filled up prior to ensure we had gasoline. Sorry to hear all that. Good Luck.
That is absolutely crazy. It's hard to believe that Nashville would become so directly hit by this. Price gouging.