Gas shortage update: Motorists see more shortages, as port says gasoline deliveries increase

Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·2 min read

Motorists in Palm Beach County and across South Florida on Tuesday awoke to a fifth consecutive day of spotty gasoline shortages.

Officials at Port Everglades, the entry point for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for 12 counties south of Lake Okeechobee, said that conditions at the port have markedly improved after last week's storm floods.

On Monday, a Port Everglades official noted the facility is a seaport and it's the private petroleum companies working at the port who "are responsible for storing and distributing gasoline and other petroleum products." In the Tuesday update, the port said the majority of the companies that deliver fuel are again operational.

Port Everglades gasoline supply update

"The flow of fuel from Port Everglades can be seen at area stations as truck drivers work around the clock to resupply gas and diesel," the port said in a statement, but added, "Consumers may continue to experience delays and extended wait times."

The port reiterated that fuel tankers continue to arrive, so there is "ample" fuel available. The delay in restocking gas stations is a delivery network issue and not a supply chain problem.

Flooding at Port Everglades from last week's rains led to gasoline shortages this past weekend, mostly in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Flooding at Port Everglades from last week's rains led to gasoline shortages this past weekend, mostly in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

What happened with gas? Why did gas pumps run dry in Palm Beach County after flooding in Broward County?

Read also: What we know on gas shortages in South Florida

Why is there a gasoline shortage?

The April 12 rain storm, which dumped almost 30 inches of rain on eastern Broward County, inundated facilities and companies at Port Everglades. The port is the entry point for gasoline and other energy products for a dozen counties south of Lake Okeechobee.

The shortages are limited to South Florida.

So, I've got to get to work. How do I find gasoline? One choice: GasBuddy

Other than driving around, there are a couple places where you can get a head's up. One is the GasBuddy app. You can check it out by clicking here.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gas shortage update: Florida motorists see more shortages, use GasBuddy