Some South Florida Gas Stations Running On Empty

Governor Denies Fuel Shortage

POSTED: 9:06 pm EDT September 15, 2008

UPDATED: 9:42 pm EDT September 15, 2008

MIAMI -- Even though Hurricane Ike hit more than 1,000 miles away from Florida, it hit the fuel supply that fills South Florida.

Video: Some South Florida Gas Stations Running On Empty

The pumps at a BP gasoline station in Pembroke Pines sported signs saying they had no gasoline. Most BP stations are on empty, while many others are running low. Not only is Hurricane Ike pounding the gasoline supplies, but Hurricane Gustav also kept freighters from leaving the Gulf Coast and delivering gasoline to Port Everglades.

While many gasoline stations are out of gas, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist denied that there was a fuel shortage in South Florida.

"There's plenty of fuel for the people of Florida," Crist said this past weekend.

Max Alvarez of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors said the pumps should be refilled at the empty gasoline stations within the next few days.

Many independent gasoline stations, such as Marathon and Valero, are also having problems keeping their pumps full.

BP officials said they were checking all their rigs along the Gulf Coast, but it could be another week before any ships set sail for Florida.

Source: http://www.nbc6.net/news/17481303/detail.html