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Gas prices up across the US following Hurricane Ian — but prices aren't rising in NC
The price of gas is continuing to rise across the United States after the powerful Hurricane Ian made landfall three times.
AAA predicted last week that U.S. gas distribution could be affected due to a lack of electricity and flooded roads and highways.
Before Ian hit Florida, it made landfall in Cuba and brought Category 3 storm conditions to the Caribbean. As a result, BP and Chevron halted production last Monday at offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Reuters reports Ian was the first storm this year to disrupt oil and gas production in the Gulf. That refinery accounts for 15% of the nation’s crude oil and 5% of dry and natural gas production.
Gas prices were already rising before Ian hit on Friday. From last Monday to Thursday, national average prices rose by 6 cents per gallon.
According to AAA, North Carolina’s average gas prices remain relatively low at $3.30 a gallon. The national average on Monday was $3.77/gallon.
That’s down from what average prices were a month ago, at $3.49/gallon, and up about 30 cents from what they were a year ago.
While North Carolina’s gas prices have not seen a direct impact from Ian yet, it’s still possible, according to Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson with AAA.
“Anytime there’s a natural disaster, anytime there’s a chance for refineries to go offline, anytime there’s a chance for oil production to be cut, the oil market reacts,” Wright said. “We see prices for crude oil go up and gas prices tend to follow.”
Gas prices continue to drop in South Carolina and Florida, where the average price of a gallon of gas falls below North Carolina’s average $3.30.
Georgia’s average price of gas has risen over the past week, from $3.12 a week ago to $3.17.
Wright warned drivers not to panic and stock up on gas, because that’s what leads to shortages.