Sep 13, 2008 11:18 pm US/Eastern
Gas Prices Soar Following Hurricane Ike
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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As Hurricane Ike ripped through the Gulf Coast, gas prices began to do their own tearing at the wallets of drivers.
CBS
Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas in a major way leaving structural damage and flooding in many neighborhoods.
Weijia Jiang reports although the storm is now a tropical storm, it had a big impact on more than just streets and homes.
As Hurricane Ike ripped through the Gulf Coast, gas prices began to do their own tearing at the wallets of drivers.
The storm shut down 14 Texas oil refineries forcing the price at the pump to spike to unbelievable numbers; $4.51, $5.25, even $5.49 in Georgia.
"I think it's wrong. I think it's absolutely wrong," said a driver.
"I could just cry. My son is an independent contractor, and it just takes food off the table. Money you could use and it's just heart-wrenching," said one mother.
Of course, it's not just motorists along the Gulf Coast who are feeling it. The prices are shooting up nationwide. Here in Maryland, drivers want to know why.
"I think there's a lot of gas gouging. Well obviously that was like unbelievable that it would be that high so close," said Carol Work, Baltimore driver.
Now many leaders are zooming into more than just prices.
As others look ahead, they are focusing on new laws and habits that could open up the gas flow.
"If we start drilling today, it won't help us for years, but we're going to start it with this bill. You have to include solar, wind, any other type of energy we can look at we're going to have to start investing in," said Charles Ruppersberger.
"We need to have a convenient, affordable transportation system so we don't use our automobiles as much as we use here in America. Then we need automobiles with better gas mileage," said Sen. Ben Cardin.
But for most drivers, it's about the now of it all and how they're going to afford these prices.
"I'd rather it not be this way. You have to deal with it. You try to limit how much you spend, but if you fill your tank up, it's just what you have to do," said Paul Weinberg.
Refineries may remain shut down for several days even if there was no serious wind damage or flooding.
Workers must go through extensive procedures to restart the massive complexes.
Economists predict a supply shortage could send average prices shooting back toward all-time highs of $4 a gallon nationwide.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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