This situation seems unreal to me, but metro Atlanta is having a serious gas shortage problem. We are going into week 3 of the shortage. It could be more than a week or 2 before we are back to normal. The refineries in the Gulf are not pumping to full capacity and that has a major effect on metro Atlanta. The other day, I passed 6 gas stations before I found 1 with gas. It had lines wrapping around the corner. Early Saturday evening, the Quik Trip on Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur was out of gas, but cars were lined up, camping out, waiting for the fuel truck to arrive. There was a sign on the door that said No Gas. My husband went inside and asked when the gas would be coming. The clerk said he had no idea. People are getting desperate. We are hearing that some people are topping off their tanks, just hoarding the gas and that is not helping the problem.
As I drove by the gas stations I took some photos. As a real estate agent, I am scheduled to go show homes tomorrow to a Buyer Client that needs to close by the end of October. I obviously can't put it off, because the clock is ticking. I am just nervous about driving with the uncertainty of not knowing if or when I can get gas again. Hopefully, this will get resolved, sooner than later.
What can we do? We are combining trips and not driving unless it's absolutely necessary. I am walking to the grocery store for small items. We are driving the speed limit, to reduce gas consumption. Yes, I know we should anyway. I'm not even using the air conditioning in the car because it burns more gas. I put the car in neutral at stop lights, I've been told it uses less gas than having it in drive. We have made sure the tires are fully inflated. What are you doing to conserve gas?
Jen,
I had a client scheduled to come to the Upstate this week, but didn't because they couldn't get gas in Atlanta. I do hope this gets resovled for you soon!
This is the first I have heard of gas shortages, I drive a lot, as most agents do. We have no shortages here in NV - I try to combine trips to save gas.
Jen -
This boggles my mind, that two weeks after the tragedy of Hurricaine Ike, major U.S. Cities have run out of gas.
The slightest blips often seem to disrupt the whole petroleum supply grid! You'd figure, after all these years, the oil companies would have established some kind of back up plan! Whew!
Here in Chicago, we have all the gas we want - wish we can send some your way. But it's still very highly priced, despite moderation in the price of a barrel of crude recently.
We need to do something about this - the sooner, the better.
Best of luck, and call us anytime!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Jen, it is time to buy a Gas station. :-). We have many gas stations for sale.
Jen, I saw this on the news, it reminded me of the early 70's when I sat in gas lines, and you could only by gas on odd or even days which was determined by the last number on your license plate.
Chevron and Shell are the two most expensive stations here in my neck of the woods. I use the Shell a block away as an indication of whether gas prices are going up or down because I have to pass by it coming and going.
I've always been a conservationist. I keep a 5-gallon bucket in the bathrooms to collect cold water from the hot water faucet before the hot water arrives. I'm a big proponent of "If it's on, it's using electricity." You won't find my house all lit up at any time, just the rooms that are being used. And billions of Christmas lights? Nope.
I even conserve insecticides by not buying any to spray on my little friends. LOL