Despite increased demand leading up to Hurricane Milton and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of gas stations, Florida gas prices have remained surprisingly stable.
AAA reported on Monday that the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Florida held steady at $3.10, the same as the previous week. This comes as welcome news for Floridians recovering from the storm, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane last Wednesday.
READ: GasBuddy: A Must-Have App For Florida Drivers Battling Hurricane Milton Fuel Shortages
Generator “Loophole” and Fuel Distribution Efforts
Governor Ron DeSantis addressed concerns about gas station preparedness, acknowledging a potential “loophole” in the state law requiring gas stations to have generators. While he didn’t commit to changing the law, he stated that his office would review the issue.
In the meantime, the state has taken proactive steps to ensure fuel availability, including:
- Free Gas: Offering up to 10 gallons of free gas at distribution sites across several counties.
- Rerouting Fuel Trucks: Directing fuel tankers to stations that ran out of gas due to high demand.
- Tapping State Reserves: Distributing 2.4 million gallons of gas from state reserves.
Improving Conditions and Optimistic Outlook
READ: Tempers Flare At Gas Pumps: Pasco Sheriff Calls For Calm
Conditions are steadily improving, with nearly all gas terminals at Florida ports reopened and fuel deliveries resuming. GasBuddy, a fuel price tracking website, reported a decrease in the number of stations without fuel, though some areas like Tampa and Sarasota still face significant outages.
Industry experts are optimistic about the future of gas prices in Florida. Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy predicts that prices could decline in the coming weeks, potentially leading to a national average below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021.
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