Weather, Gas Pumps Remain Dry in Atlanta

Alpharetta, Georgia -- Residents of Atlanta are certainly finding daily life much more difficult than it was just a short time ago. First, the city was struck by a history-making Level 4 drought. As lake levels diminished to record levels, local officials banned all outdoor watering. A renowned, family-owned nursery chain closed their doors after 75 years in business. Pool service and landscaping companies faced hard times, with many of them having to shut down their operations. Citizens were asked to do our part by reducing personal water consumption by 10%. Despite yellowing lawns and filthy cars, we the people of Atlanta adapted well to the new water restrictions, reducing our personal consumption by 10-15%. While the drought continues on at Level 4, and lake levels remain dangerously low, brand new hardships have recently surfaced to re-direct our attention and concern.

Our gas pumps are now as dry as the weather. Due to hurricanes Gustav and Ike, our major oil pipeline into the area is not operating at capacity; and our gas shortage, which started ten days ago, has continued to worsen. Drought-weary citizens are now faced with the extra financial challenge of paying gas prices that are far higher than the national average. That is, if we can find gas at all. We have altered how we consume gasoline because demand has outstripped supply.

As I traveled south on Rt. 141 in North Fulton County in Atlanta, I counted ten gas stations, eight of which had no gas to pump. At the two stations that actually had gas to sell, there were very long lines filled with impatient and disbelieving drivers. Police officers were on hand at one station because the lines of waiting cars spilled out onto a major thoroughfare, causing traffic tie-ups in the area. In each of the eight lines of cars leading up to the individual pumps, a few cars simply ran out of gas while waiting. They had to be pushed through the seemingly endless line by their exhausted driver and passengers. Tempers flared, horns blared.

The people of Atlanta are changing our daily schedules and driving routes. Carpools to offices, schools, sporting practices and after school activities are now commonplace. Just as we schedule our daily activities, so must we schedule the 1-2 hour wait required to gas up our vehicles. That is, if you can actually find a gas station that has gasoline to sell. Businesses are scrambling to find enough gasoline to fuel their fleets. There is even talk that schools will close several days to save our gas. Local news broadcasts are filled with tension-filled scenes from gas stations, and the story is now carried on a national level. Our gas shortage remains the topic of discussion on all of our radio stations, and even in the checkout lines. Everyone is voicing concern about our current gas crisis, just as we did about our severe drought several months ago. One shortage replaced the other in the headlines, but both are happening concurrently.

As Atlantans continue to suffer through our shortages of water and gas, we do so with the hope that soon Mother Nature will open up the floodgates, and that our oil supply lines will run at full capacity. We stand steady in our belief that Atlanta is still one of the best cities in which to live and raise our families; and that life will return to normal very soon. As Americans, we parlay this belief to our failing national economy as well. United we will stand as we struggle through these hard times, and look forward to better times ahead.