Oh, I was only referring to the situation tonight (fuel for the hospital generators.)
In the longer run, yes. Gotta fuel the generators near the tanks so you can pump fuel for all. But that initial requirement is relatively small volume.
Of course, in most situations like this, most people don't have generators. So one of the first big lines, IF people can use them, is for the generators themselves. In the aftermath of our big ice storm, one of the "saving" things that happpened in our immediate area was that the local Home Depots each had a semi-trailer load of generators trucked in. The double lines for 'em looped all the way around the inside of the store...
Our disadvantage was being hit in midwinter. An advantage was being mostly rural to modest-size towns, and people here are better able and situated to adapt.
IN NYC, the population density creates HUGE problems. Tough to put a generator out on the back patio when you live on the 8th floor (or more.) Not to mention that all the generators warehoused in the U.S. surely are not nearly enough, now... And where would most people in the city keep one, anyway? It's one of many reasons I'd never live in a large city.
Hearing NYU Hospital lost power and generators weren’t up tot he task, so they had to transfer all patients to another hospital.