Current:Home > NewsThe hunt for gasoline is adding to Floridians’ anxiety as Milton nears -Quantum Growth Learning
The hunt for gasoline is adding to Floridians’ anxiety as Milton nears
View
Date:2025-04-17 15:13:14
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Long lines and empty pumps at some Florida gas stations Tuesday compounded the stress for residents planning to either hunker down or flee as Hurricane Milton approached the state’s western coast.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a morning news conference that state officials were working with fuel companies to continue bringing in gasoline ahead of Milton’s expected landfall on Wednesday.
“We have been dispatching fuel over the past 24 hours as gas stations have run out,” DeSantis said. “So we currently have 268,000 gallons of diesel, 110,000 gallons of gasoline. Those numbers are less than what they were 24 hours ago because we’ve put a lot in, but we have an additional 1.2 million gallons of both diesel and gasoline that is currently en route to the state of Florida.”
DeSantis said there wasn’t a fuel shortage. But the hunt for gasoline was another nerve-fraying task for people preparing for a major hurricane.
“You’ve got to have patience,” Stephanie Grover-Brock, a Tampa resident in line for gasoline in the Riverview area, said Tuesday morning. “It’s a little aggravating. You’ve got to be patient, be determined and just have grace.”
Nearby, motorist Ralph Douglas said some gas stations in Ruskin, where he lives, ran out of gas, but he was able to find fuel elsewhere.
Also in line was Martin Oakes of Apollo Beach.
“I was able to get some gas yesterday, but then they ran out,” Oakes said, waiting in a slow-moving line. “So now I’m trying to get gas here again and, you know, long lines, trickling gas pumps.”
Oakes and Grover-Brock said they were not in evacuation zones and did not plan to leave.
Ned Bowman, spokesperson for the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, said the situation was typical for a Florida hurricane — with demand peaking and some stations temporarily running dry. He said suppliers are “constantly” moving fuel to stations.
“Have patience,” Bowman said. “It’s out there.”
AAA told The Associated Press it would advise Floridians to “take only what you need” and if evacuating, to avoid letting one’s gas tank get too low before looking for a place to fill up.
DeSantis said during his news conference there is enough gasoline for those who are evacuating.
“You do not have to get on the interstate and go far away,” DeSantis said. “You can evacuate tens of miles, you do not have to evacuate hundreds of miles away. You do have options.”
___
McGill reported from New Orleans.
veryGood! (87)
Related
- Sam Taylor
- What's open and closed for Memorial Day? See which stores and restaurants are operating today.
- Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., 2023 NL MVP, out for season with torn ACL
- In a north Texas county, dazed residents sift through homes mangled by a tornado
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Low percentage of Americans in military is deeply problematic as a democracy, Rep. Pat Ryan says
- Kohl's Memorial Day Sale 2024 Has Best-Selling Bath Towels for Just $4
- 2024 NCAA Division I baseball tournament: College World Series schedule, times, TV info
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- General Hospital's Johnny Wactor Dead at 37 in Fatal Shooting
Ranking
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Storms kill at least 21 in 4 states as spate of deadly weather continues
- Bradley Cooper performs 'A Star Is Born' song with Pearl Jam at BottleRock music festival
- Pato O'Ward frustrated after heartbreaking finish at 2024 Indy 500: So (expletive) close
- Small twin
- The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
- 4 Wisconsin teenagers killed in early morning truck crash
- Kaapo Kakko back in lineup for Rangers, taking spot of injured Jimmy Vesey
Recommendation
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
See Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Daughter Shiloh Grow Up During Rare Red Carpet Moments
Major retailers are offering summer deals to entice inflation-weary shoppers
Mike Tyson Suffers Medical Emergency on Flight to Los Angeles
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
See Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Daughter Shiloh Grow Up During Rare Red Carpet Moments
Dallas Mavericks take control of series vs. Minnesota Timberwolves with Game 3 win
Is the stock market open or closed on Memorial Day 2024? See full holiday schedule