What To Do If There’s No Gas in a Hurricane

With hurricane season here, I have a few friends who have shared their experiences. Living in a state with hurricanes is scary, however, that’s why we should try to be as prepared as possible. Of course, it’s safe to say that sometimes hurricanes sneak up on some people and they don’t have as much time to prepare as they’d wished. The good thing is, in most cases, we do have time to react to a pending hurricane, but we do need to take action. One thing that seems to happen every single time there is a hurricane is the lack of gas situation. I always say to have a full tank but that’s not always feasible. Here is what to do if there’s no gas in a hurricane. 8 Ways to Combat Gas Shortages

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Get What You Can

Having some gas is better than no gas at all. It’s safe to say that you should get what you can. If you can get 5 gallons, then get 5 gallons. In this type of situation, you don’t have to hoard gas, but you should at least try and get as much gas as you can to fill your vehicle. How to Save the Most Money on Gas

The key is to get your vehicle filled up with gasoline as soon as possible after the storm is reported. You don’t know if an evacuation is going to be announced for your area by state officials. You also don’t know if and when power outages may cause the gas stations to close since they can’t pump gas without electricity-driven pumps in those stations.

Slow action on your part may mean others will beat you to the punch and fill their tanks before you do and before the gas supply is depleted. Before you know it there could be really long lines, and the long line of cars may mean you’ll be out of luck.

Try Not to Get Upset

When a hurricane is projected to hit, something inside the human brain goes off and many go into panic mode. I’ve told my readers not to panic when there’s an emergency because when we panic, we don’t make the best decisions. Just try not to get upset while trying to find gas. I have heard stories of people bringing 10-15 gas cans and filling them up, while they stand and watch others wait to get gas. The best thing you can do is keep your composure. How To Prepare Your House Against Looters

This prompts me to remind my readers that having an emergency plan in place can make a real difference. If you try to keep your vehicle’s tank close to full as a general rule, then you’ll be prepared and not have to worry about not having enough to evacuate.

More Gas Will Come

You have to remember that gas stations are bound to run out of gas if everyone has been told to get out of town. When there is panic and more people than usual are buying gas, panic will ensue. I want to assure you that most of the time, more is on its way. You just have to be patient. If you ask management at your favorite station when they anticipate more gas, they should be able to tell you when more gas will be delivered. Be patient and try to go out to find gas at different time periods of the day if you have a variety of stations close by. When you see the chance to get gas, jump on it. How to Stay Positive in Difficult Situations

Remember, in a major hurricane scenario, oil refineries may shut down for an extended period, particularly if there has been severe damage to the facility. If the refineries are shut down and will take time to repair, then it may be a situation where fuel tankers will have to be used to bring new supplies. Hopefully, the tankers can offload their fuel to local pipelines without many new disruptions. Of course, the category of the hurricane will influence the damages and what it will take to get things up and running again.

You can count on the large oil companies to do all they can to keep oil production and the supply of gas flowing as soon as possible. The Gulf of Mexico, where the majority of hurricanes seem to make landfall, geographically is critical oil production territory, so they have backup plans in place to minimize downtime whenever they can.

The Department of Energy is always on standby to help support a consistent supply of gasoline, even if it means prompting local legislation to promote new technologies and financial support when necessary.

Have Money Reserved

I know this is hard in today’s economy, but when something like a hurricane hits, you are going to need money to get gas. If you don’t have enough money to fill your tank(s), then reach out to friends and family. You NEED to have a full tank. You just never know when you will need to bug out. I can’t emphasize this enough, but your life and the safety of your family is the most important thing to consider. Cash Stash: Standby for Emergencies

Go Inside to Pay for Gas

I have a friend who lives in Florida and she was trying to get gas for Hurricane Idalia. Each card she used didn’t work. So, she had to go inside and pre-pay for the gas. I know when your brain is panicking that you need gas, you tend to think the worst. Sometimes you just have to slow down and think of an alternative solution. Going inside to pay for gas with cash isn’t something everyone would think about. However, it is just one more tip to remember. Disaster Preparedness Plan Every Family Needs

It could be that the terminals at the pump aren’t communicating with the banking system like they normally would due to power and communication outages. If you’re trying to use your debit card, try it as a credit card instead, sometimes that works. Again, the fallback option is cash!

Communication is Key

There are just some people in the family that don’t understand when an emergency is about to hit and all resources must be reserved since you don’t know how long things will be disrupted. You must emphasize to family members the importance of having a supply of food and water, along with the full gas tanks we’ve discussed. If you have to evacuate, then the gas is critical for your safety and survival. If not, you’ll be glad you have the other resources that you have been stockpiling. Communicate with your immediate family and communicate well. This isn’t the time period for everyone to get upset and not talk. You must talk with each person in your family and let them know what is happening. Communication Options for Your Family During a Disaster

Prepare Better Next Time

One thing to keep in mind is that each disaster teaches us something better for the next go around. Let this situation be a reminder for next year. Be more prepared! Make sure you have more money on reserve and that you keep your tank as full as possible. The truth we’re learning even more these days is that you just never know when a disaster is going to strike. Hurricanes seem to be popping up more than ever. For those of you who live in Florida, there’s only one way out of the state, so you have to be as prepared as you can! How To Get Your Family Prepared For Survival

Know When to Stay and When to Go

This can be the hardest thing when a hurricane is headed your way. It can be so expensive to leave, I know. However, you have to use your experience to know when to stay and when to go. Human life is the most important thing, so make sure you take the time to discuss when your family will flee or when they will stay. Forget Your 72-Hour Bug-Out Bag You Need More

So many people seem to think that first responders are going to show up at their doorstep and save the day. It’s not going to happen! They’ll have their hands full, and to think they can attend to every family’s needs is very naive. Whether you live in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, or any of the states in the Southeast, there are only so many barrels of gasoline to go around, so prepare early and well.

We’ve been told to be mindful of flood waters and not to go through intersections that are flooded. Just last week a vehicle was swept away on a major highway in Southern Utah and the driver was killed. Having gas is great, but knowing when, where, and how to evacuate is critical.

More Tips to Remember About What To Do If There’s No Gas in a Hurricane:

• Pull your resources together. You may not have enough gas, but maybe your neighbor might. Talk to those you know and pull your resources together. Why People Wait Until the Last Minute to Prep for Emergencies
• Don’t waste gas. Now is not the time to go on a joy ride with the gas you have. Only use the gas if you need to and don’t waste it! How to Reduce Waste as a Prepper
• Listen to authorities. I know that no one likes to listen to the local government, but it can be crucial to know what’s going on locally. If you have mandatory evacuations then you will know you NEED to leave. If you choose to stay, at least know the consequences of your choice. A World Without Technology: A Glimpse into the Unplugged Life
• Have plans A, B, and C. I am a firm believer that you can never have too many plans. Have a backup plan in place in case you need to leave and there’s no gas to be found. How to Put an Evacuation Plan Together

Final Word

Although I will say now is not the time to panic, you do have to listen to your instincts. It’s better to be wrong than dead. Make sure you’re following my blog because I’m always giving tips on how to be prepared so that you don’t find yourself in this position. Food Storage Moms is about helping families prepare one day at a time and one thing at a time! You got this. May God Bless this World, Linda

Copyright Images: Fuel Shortage AdobeStock_1717606 By Ken Mellott,