Gas shortage hits home

Murphy – Similar to the great toilet paper shortage of 2020, a predicted gas shortage created a mad dash to the pumps by people looking to amass as much fuel as possible.

This practice, in turn, limited the amount of product available to the community at large, creating a fuel shortage at several service stations in Cherokee County. 

“When people hear of a possible shortage, there is additional buying,” said Ron Freeman, chief financial officer for Ingles Markets Inc. “It always happens, regardless of product.”

The predicted gas shortage, which became somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy, was sparked by a May 7 cyberattack on the nation’s largest refined products pipeline system. 

Colonial Pipeline, which provides about 45 percent of the fuel on the East Coast between Texas and New York, halted all pipeline operations after the attack. The company restarted pipeline operations around 5 p.m. May 12 after reportedly paying a $5 million ransom to the cyber attackers. 

AAA officials said the shutdown caused a rise in gas prices.

“This shutdown will have implications on both gasoline supply and prices, but the impact will vary regionally,” AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee said. “Areas including Mississippi, Tennessee and the East Coast from Georgia into Delaware are most likely to experience limited fuel availability and price increases.”

According to GasBuddy.com, the majority of service stations in Murphy had limited fuel options as of Monday evening, though lines at the pumps have significantly decreased. At least one gas station in Andrews had no fuel.

Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in response to the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, temporarily lifting commercial motor vehicle operations regulations. Cooper’s order waives the maximum service hours for drivers and certain fees and lifts vehicle weight restrictions.

Penny Ray of the Cherokee Scout and Nyamekye Daniel of The Center Square contributed to this report.