[dirtboy]

There are all kinds of factors beyond the disaster itself impacting here. First of all, NJ and NY have anti-gouging laws. If the price of gas increased to seven dollars a gallon, companies would have even more incentive to divert tankers from other parts of the country. Right now, they would eat the cost of shipping it to sell it at the same price they can get in their own state, which is a strong disincentive.

Also, NJ does not allow self-serve. I've read accounts of where a station opened but was not fully staffed, increasing wait times.

But beyond those factors, you could deploy generators to gas stations without power so they can pump gas. Instead, Geraldo is looking for a generator so the fish in his koi pond don't freeze.

This should have been wargamed and a logistical plan worked out for emergency distribution of fuel. It isn't just nature at work here.

[kearnyirish2]

There are definitely shortcomings, and lessons not learned.

The same people that complain about anti-gouging laws (which allow price increases, with limits) don’t seem to have a problem with the fact that government employees (cops) are the only thing stopping the mob from taking the fuel they need. I don’t support the “self-serve only” laws, but a disaster is not the time to have people start handling their own gas - they literally don’t know how to; maybe this will serve as motivation to allow self-serve when this is resolved.

You’re right that this should have been wargamed (especially after 9/11 and Hurricane Irene). I don’t think any contingency plan exists for such a large, concentrated population.