What we know on gas shortages in South Florida

Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·2 min read
1

Post-storm gas shortages led to frustrating searches for fuel this past weekend. So what happened? What's being done? And how can I find gasoline stations that are stocked up?

First, why are we seeing gas shortages?

Remember those photos of inundated Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after last week's once-in-a-millennium rain storm?

Well, just east of the airport is Port Everglades, and its roads and facilities were equally flooded. And just as the airport closed down while the waters receded, the port's ability to function on a normal schedule was also impeded.

That's problematic because Port Everglades is the entry point for 12.5 million gallons a day of energy products, from jet fuel to gasoline to diesel, for 12 Florida counties.

The inability to move fuel out of the seaport eventually caught up with daily motorist consumption by Friday afternoon, and then shortages worsened through the weekend.

Where to find gas: South Florida gas shortage expected to improve as waters recede

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.

So, I got to get to work. How do I find gasoline?

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.

Gas shortage? What gas shortage? I haven't noticed any fuel shortages near me.

Yes, that's likely because many of the counties served by Port Everglades had fuel brought in from Port Canaveral, Tampa and Orlando, said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA-The Auto Club.

When will the gas shortage end? Take a deep breath. The worst should be over.

On Sunday, Port Everglades officials said "petroleum trucks continue to load fuel at Port Everglades for delivery to gas stations throughout Florida." Just as importantly, it's a delivery problem, not a fuel shortage problem as the port noted "there are three tankers in port and six offshore with gas, diesel and jet fuel for customers."

"The public is encouraged to remain patient and not rush to the pumps," the port also advised.

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: South Florida gas shortages: Where is there gas near me, Miami