Posted on 10/31/2012 4:08:16 PM PDT by Hojczyk
Drivers and homeowners scrambled to secure fuel for their cars and generators in the U.S. Northeast on Wednesday as storm-hit gasoline stations started to run dry.
More than half of all gasoline service stations in the New York City area and New Jersey were shut because of depleted fuel supplies and power outages, frustrating attempts to restore normal life, industry officials said.
Reports of long lines, dark stations and empty tanks circulated across the region. Some station owners were unable to pump fuel due to a lack of power, while others quickly ran their tanks dry because of increased demand and logistical problems in delivering fresh supplies.
The lack of working gasoline stations is likely to compound travel problems in the region, with the New York City subway system down until at least Thursday and overland rail and bus services severely disrupted.
Homeowners and businesses relying on back-up generators during the power cuts, including many Wall Street banks in lower Manhattan, may also run short of fuel.
"I don't have any lights and need this gasoline for my generator," said Abdul Rahim Anwar at a Getty service station in Gowanus, Brooklyn, as he put two full jerry cans into his trunk.
Tempers flared as a queue of at least 30 cars spilled down the street, with drivers blaring horns, shouting and getting out of their cars. Pump attendant Nadim Amid said the station had already run out of regular gasoline and only had a tiny amount of super unleaded and diesel left.
One driver, a doctor who asked not to be named, said she had driven all the way across New York City from New Jersey, where half of all businesses and homes are still without power.
(Excerpt) Read more at ca.news.yahoo.com ...
Things are going to deteriorate fast when people start fighting for survival.
Same thing happened here in Florida...Most stations now have a generator to run the pumps...but you need cash...no power no credit cards
Give ‘em all free Volts, Barry...
No offense to anyone who tried to be prepared by purchasing a generator after Hurricane Irene last year, but this situation exposes one of the flaws of that kind of planning. Maybe next year we’ll have thousands of people installing gasoline tanks in their backyards, too.
Road Warrior scenario. People think I’m on crack when I say it.
This proves I’m not. And it only took 2 days for it to begin with the knowledge that it’s a temporary thing. Imagine when the SHTF with NO end in sight.
That generator tri fuel kit I bought is looking better and better all the time.
Having worked in the industry..most standby generators in commercial applications only have a fuel supply for a temporary power outage. Once it gets to be three days to a week, they need resupply. Most of the time diesel generators don’t fail..they either run out of fuel..or have flat batteries when they are supposed to start. Many building codes and zoning laws just don’t let them keep enough fuel on site.
no station in New Jersey or New York has a generator.
that would be self reliant and yankees depend on government for life
Maybe next year well have thousands of people installing gasoline tanks in their backyards, too.
___________________
Noooo. EPA won’t let ‘em. Sunlight or wind power and battteries made by Hussein donors.
Don’t you understand?
Diesel is easier and safer to store and use. I’d pay extra for a diesel generator.
Solar power combined with extreme conservation looks good for at least a few years - barring the incursion of rovers.
Plan item #1: DON'T tell the EPA.
Nature has a way of over-riding the best laid plans sometimes.
If the human beings in the NYC/NJ area do not have power restored by the weekend, they are going to have daggers in their eyes when they go to the voting booths on Tuesday.
Obama might look like a hero today, waddling arm-and-arm down the Atlantic City boardwalk with Chris Christie (Look! They unplugged the slot machines at Harrah's!). But he's going to be a horses's ass when it's the weekend and millions of human beings are still waiting for their power to come back on and for the water to get pumped out of their basements.
Really not a bad plan for emergency backup. I couldn't begin to afford a whole house solution, but have 1,000 amp hour battery bank powered by solar available. I try to keep ample gasoline for the generators as well but get fatigued over time and fail to refill. Will have to force myself going into the winter season now. Have a gallon of Stabil on hand LOL to treat it.
I agree with that and have 1999 diesel fuel still stored that my bug-out van seems to start and run on just fine (it has been treated with PRI-D). There has not been any significant bacterial growth and apart from some inevitable acidity, seems to be perfectly usable. However, I certainly wouldn't recommend putting it in a new rig except in dire emergency.
Plan Item #3. Put the tank(s) in the garage rafters or tunnel out through the garage floor.
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