Trajectory of Hurricane ‘Milton’, live | Cyclone strengthens and returns to Category 5

Florida gas stations are emptying

as the storm approaches MiltonFlorida gas stations are running out of fuel rapidly, with 17.4% of stations reported dry as of 6:30 p.m. ET, according to a report from Reuters. GasBuddy.com analyst Patrick de Haan says demand is expected to increase due to mass evacuations. Florida, the third-largest consumer of gasoline in the United States, lacks its own refineries and relies heavily on importing fuel by sea. Fuel import operations in Tampa Bay, a major hub for petroleum products and natural gas, have been disrupted, further straining the state’s gasoline supply.

Kinder Morgan has shut down its Central Florida pipeline and fuel terminals in Tampa, and is expected to stop fuel deliveries if winds exceed 35 mph. Companies like CITGO and Buckeye Partners have also closed their Tampa terminals. Experts fear Hurricane Milton could cause the worst fuel supply disruption in Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, potentially delaying tanker deliveries until Sunday or Monday.