Fuel Shortages in WNC

The article below is a good summary of what is happening right now in Henderson County and surrounding areas. Two friends and I drove around yesterday evening looking for fuel. Jeremiah actually can't go to his classes because he has run out of fuel, he can't leave town! We found two stations with some fuel, but the lines are crazy and the police stay to monitor, the situation is very very eerie.Folks are getting in fist fights and lines are stretching out down the road.

I have been walking to work and we stay home during the evenings now. We are heading to Michigan this weekend and we are bringing a five gallon jerry can full of gas that I have been saving. I am surprised that there hasn't been more media coverage on the situation. The paranoia is spreading and the gas "scare" is starting to snowball.

Fuel to remain scarce in western NC another week - Business Week Article

ASHEVILLE, N.C.

Officials in the Asheville area say they don't expect fuel to begin flowing normally again for at least another week and are urging drivers to conserve gasoline.

Buncombe County said Tuesday there is enough gas in the area to keep police cars and fire trucks fueled, and officials promised the shortage won't affect 911 service.

But all non-emergency county staff have been asked to work an alternate schedule or from home. And officials say area residents should consolidate their trips to conserve fuel and consider avoiding trips that aren't necessary.

Hurricane Ike closed oil refineries along the Gulf Coast. Analysts expect the gasoline shortages across the Southeast should disappear in the next week, once the refineries resume normal production levels.