Atlanta has an extreme gasoline shortage. Due to the hurricane damage in the gulf and along the coast, the pipe lines are not running at full capacity. Two weekends ago we began to see bags on pumps and stations that removed their gas prices, indicating that they were all out. Fast forward to now and you are lucky if you pass two stations on any route that have gas to offer. Even if they have gas, it is usually limited to one kind and is mostly unleaded.
I bought gas on Thursday evening at about 9:30 and only had to wait a few moments. The station was packed, but still moving rather well. Just a few days later there were lines backed onto the streets and cops controlling traffic in and out of station parking lots. Most stations that have gas are only allowing cars to come in one entrance and then are directing cars to pumps as they clear. We have heard stories of people waiting in line for an hour, limits of $30, people yelling and honking at one another, etc. I probably have until about Thursday before I need to fill up and I am planning on getting up really early to get gas and then going back home to get ready. While their is an actual shortage of gas coming into the city, most of the problem is steming from people panicing. People are filling up before neccessary and if they are allowed they are filling up several of those red gas canisters for later. If people would just hold off until they needed it, the situation would not be quite so bad.
