Gasoline Panic

I took the kids to our Homeschool park day today and received a text message from my husband telling me to fill up my tank. Usually my sweet husband fills up my tank for me (and he isn't one prone to unnecessary panic) and so I wasn't sure why I needed to take on this task but... I figured he had a good reason. I knew Ike was lurking in the Gulf and figured it had something to do with that.

Before I knew it there were multiple pockets of parents discussing their journey to the park. They noticed gas prices go from $3.54 to $3.99 as they passed station after station. The lines were long and the demand was surging. I began thinking - we are not in danger or anything. I am used to this sort of panic in Louisiana when hurricanes are on their way. We are usually preparing for the worst case scenario - in case the power stays out long term and we need to get to safety or something. This experience isn't new to me but the fact that we are not in danger and the panic is surrounding us is new. We are not in imminent danger but we are experiencing the panic here! Kind of crazy.

I finally waited through the line at a gas station after passing two stations that were totally OUT of gas!! I found a place where it was $3.68 and I decided to wait in line. The kids were wiped out from our day at the park and taking a nap so I quietly waited my turn. I was three people deep in line, and every pump was with at least 3 waiting behind the one pumping gas, and it was finally my turn. I then see this sign as the pump S..LOW..LY pumped fuel into my van. I had a half tank but... I was hearing rumors of soaring prices. After I filled up I heard from a friend who saw prices at $4.19 per gallon.
As I drove by another local gas station (because the one I was at was difficult for me to photograph) I snapped a shot of the lines in/out. This is so crazy to me! But I guess what happens in the gulf DOES affect all of us! I pray Ike is not the monster they are predicting!
We are praying for you all - friends in the Gulf area!!!