Over 1,300 gas stations throughout Florida have run dry amid a massive exodus as Hurricane Milton approaches. According to GasBuddy's Fuel Availability Tracker, 17.4% (1,356) of the state's 7,912 stations are currently out of fuel. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at the tech company, told CNBC that many stations are unable to meet the overwhelming demand for gasoline as millions of Floridians evacuate. He also mentioned that prices are unlikely to spike since the storm is not expected to impact infrastructure and refineries. "Most of this is simply because people are trying to get to safety," he stated.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday that the state has been stockpiling fuel ahead of the storm. Despite the long lines and empty pumps, he assured that there is no fuel shortage. DeSantis explained that fuel continues to arrive via port, and trucks are delivering supplies to stations within the expected impact zones. While the Port of Tampa and others along the Gulf Coast have stopped receiving ships, these facilities still have fuel on hand, and port operations will proceed.
Potential Risks to Florida's Fuel Supply
Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, noted that Florida lacks oil refineries and produces just 2,000 barrels of oil daily. Several terminals along the Tampa coast could be at risk from Hurricane Milton. "They face threats from storm surges, flooding, and power outages. Significant damage to these facilities would impede the ability to resupply gasoline and diesel to the area," he explained.
Lipow suggested that tanker deliveries to Tampa might not resume until Sunday at the earliest. Terminals with power may begin distributing fuel over the weekend, depending on the availability of workers and truck drivers, as well as local gas station operations.
Emergency Preparations and Evacuations Underway
On Tuesday, Hurricane Milton intensified to a Category 5, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds reaching 165 mph (265 km/h). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has urged Florida residents to "prepare their families and homes and evacuate if instructed."
The approaching hurricane has placed millions on high alert in the Sunshine State, prompting authorities to activate emergency plans, including widespread evacuations. Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, encouraged people in vulnerable areas to evacuate as soon as possible. This could become one of the largest evacuations since Hurricane Irma struck in 2017.