Fuel shortages at gas stations across the state are complicating the mass exodus in South Florida, but state officials say they are on task to ensure there is enough fuel for the thousands of residents and visitors fleeing ahead of Hurricane Irma.
I've directed FHP to escort resupply fuel trucks to gas stations– we're aggressively working to get fuel out. https://t.co/5KBiK5GadA
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) September 7, 2017
The state ports were operating as of Thursday afternoon, he said, bringing in fuel and supplies.
“We’re aggressively working to get fuel out,” Scott tweeted.
But across the state, residents were reporting long lines at gas stations, covered pumps and long waits for fuel deliveries. In Miami, some residents said it was “extremely difficult” to find water and gas in Miami-Dade County.
Water and gas are extremely difficult to find right now in #MiamiDade. This station has been waiting on a delivery for hours. #Irma pic.twitter.com/dIanTu7N3j
— Augie Conte (@Augunator) September 7, 2017
Reporter @laurie_davison sent in this photo at 6:44 p.m. of lines to get gas at Costco in Citrus Park. The lines stretch for blocks. #IRMA pic.twitter.com/QFGZheifBL
— Spectrum Bay News 9 (@BN9) September 5, 2017
⛔⛔🔥🔥Regular gas is OUT in Miami...#Irma #IrmaMiami pic.twitter.com/w2uiTP5aaN
— Power to the People (@KeepMyPowerOrg) September 5, 2017
The Florida Department of Health recommended people use an app to help find stations that still have gas.
If you're evacuating, use @GasBuddy helps track which stations have gas and which are out. #FLprepares #Irma
— Florida Dept. of Health (@HealthyFla) September 7, 2017
Scott said residents should take only the gas they need, to make sure there’s enough for everyone. Local officials ordered residents of beach areas to evacuate as Hurricane Irma closed in. Mandatory evacuations were also issued in the Florida Keys. See this list of evacuation orders for more information.
Besides the challenges of finding gas, Floridians are paying more at the pump this week. Fuel prices are up about 50 cents a gallon since Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast a week ago. However, some residents were reporting paying several dollars more per gallon than usual.
Motorists in 26 states were paying 25 to 44 cents more for a gallon of unleaded compared with a week before, AAA said Monday. In Florida, they are paying 36 cents on average than they did before Harvey. And prices could continue to climb, AAA said.