As Hurricane Ike moved closer to Texas, a storm was also developing here in the scenic city. Fueled by rumors of impending $5 per gallon prices and rations at the pump, citizens flooded area gas stations to fill up. The rumors may have originated with a report that wholesale prices in the Gulf region were rising to the $5 mark, but gas panic hit a fever pitch beginning with the evening commute, in part due to reporting by local radio stations Rock 105 and US101. Fortunately, late this evening WDEF came through with the facts on gas prices in Chattanooga. (Hint: Stop panicking.)
We followed the action on Twitter, and asked our friends to send reports from around the Chattanooga and North Georgia areas about lines, prices and yes, even gas rationing. Here's a recap of what we heard as of about 10:30pm:
- NPMMdad @chattarati yep.... some stations are... http://tinyurl.com/3w49a7
- phragmunkee @chattarati http://tinyurl.com/3w49a7 (thanks to @n00tz)
- foureightfour @chattarati My brother reports he just gassed up at Boy Scout & Middle Valley for $3.48/gal, limit 10 gal, 10 min. wait, & mass chaos.
- klappy @chattarati $3.65 at BP and Citco on my way through Signal Mtn Blvd. 2-3 car wait at every pump already.
- klappy @chattarati 10 gal limit already in effect! topped off my ml320 glad it was almost full already :/ http://snipurl.com/3phh2
- erinnose
@chattarati didn't buy but saw long lines on Rossville. Price $3.59 - PlatinumTalon @chattarati couldnt even make it to a station tonight. prices were around 3.70ish all all the ones we passed. whats going on??
- indieradiochatt @chattarati just confirmed Rock 105 around 5PM
- stratparrott @chattarati had to get gas it was ridiculous but u only got $10 to hold over until it's figured out
- thebisch @chattarati Nope... it's region-wide. http://tinyurl.com/44ys4o
- gnumadic @chattarati @indieradiochatt I figured it was a rumor, too. I just happened to be on empty! now wish I'd gotten a full tank. :-/
- lostorbit 16% of oil in Tenn. Valley comes from the Gulf, according to News Channel 9: http://bit.ly/GasChatt
- AdrienneRoyer @chattarati good idea. note to chattanoogans (parents included): relax! #chattgaspanic
- indieradiochatt http://tinyurl.com/3jpoce #chattgaspanic
- GTWilson @chattarati The panic is alive and well in Cleveland and as far north as Riceville and Athens.
It looks like the truth about #chattgaspanic is finally starting to spread. Thanks to all our friends on Twitter for helping us gather this information.
John Hawbaker
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