With Ivan looming as another possible interruption, Gov. Bush says all efforts are being made to get retailers' pumps flowing again.
By Associated Press
Published September 9, 2004
TAMPA - With Florida experiencing short supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel and the looming threat of Hurricane Ivan, Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that fuel companies are rushing to build up the state's reserves.
Touring a Citgo terminal at the Port of Tampa, Bush said such shortages are to be expected as residents heed evacuation warnings. Hurricane Frances, which claimed at least 15 lives in Florida, also interrupted ship traffic around the state and caused ports to close for several days.
"The gasoline supply is coming in as quickly as humanly possible," Bush said. "I know people are frustrated, and who blames them?"
Floridians burn 26.5-million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel daily. Each tanker brings between 12-million and 14-million gallons to port.
So much gas was consumed as millions of the state's residents fled Hurricane France's path that gas stations as far north as South Carolina were out of fuel.
Shortages were further exacerbated because some regular supply routes were blocked by storm damage and many gas stations lacked electricity to run pumps.
The shortages are worst on the east coast. In Palm Beach County, Debra Weatherford was one of seven truckers sitting in the shade, waiting to hear where their diesel fuel would come from. She needed to deliver a load of industrial-sized generators.
"Once we left Jacksonville, it got harder to find diesel," she said. "Some truckers have just decided they want to go home."
Dave Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, said every level of the gasoline production and distribution system has been affected by the hurricanes - from oil drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico that had to be evacuated to trucks delivering fuel to neighborhood gas stations.
"We are going to have temporary situations throughout the state for a while," Mica said. Mica said the state Department of Transportation is allowing tanker trucks to carry bigger loads and letting drivers work longer shifts to get their deliveries made. The Florida Highway Patrol has been providing convoy escorts to help tanker trucks get to their destinations faster.
Terry Fluke, Citgo's terminal manager at the Port of Tampa, said Wednesday the biggest challenge is getting the vessels into port and unloaded before Ivan becomes too much of a danger.
"We are running full-throttle," Fluke said. "We are trying to get it out on the street as quickly as possible."
