Rumor of gas shortage sparks panic / Tennessee

[aybesee123]

NASHVILLE, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Authorities in Nashville estimate three-quarters of the Tennessee city's gas stations ran dry after rumors of a shortage spread.

"Everybody has just gone nuts," said Mike Williams, executive director of the Tennessee Petroleum Council, calling the rumor a self-fulfilling prophecy.

No one knows who started the rumor, which raced through Nashville Friday causing people to rush to fill their cars, trucks and cans, CNN reported Saturday.

There was no shortage of gasoline until the rumor began, with cars backed up a mile at some stations, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Saturday, noting fuel trucks continued to enter the city, pipelines were working and barges with gasoline continued to arrive as regularly scheduled.

One station reported selling as much gas Friday as it usually does in a weekend, Williams said, adding the run on gas seemed to be isolated to the Nashville area.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/20/Rumor_of_gas_shortage_sparks_panic/UPI-76481221941004/

[cigarlover]

:sheep::sheep::sheep::sheep: Must buy gas BAAAAAAAAAA Must buy gas.. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hmm Think Americans are a bit spooked lately?

[Abouthadit]

Think Americans are a bit spooked lately?

only the unprepared ones. You'ld think "duh, keep some 5 gal gas cans in your garage for pete's sake.

[aybesee123]

looks as though it may have all started with this guy...atleast thats what cnbc says. :smokin:

[Meliorist]

Doesn't seem like I'll be affected but I might as well fill up just in case. Better call my friends and family to do the same. Better safe than sorry :wink:

[Txkstew]

Some people in North Georgia and South Carolina are reporting gas stations are out of gasoline. I think it's because of all the refineries being shut down due to two hurricanes hitting Louisiana and Texas, one week apart. I work at one in Port Arthur Texas, just got the call to come back to work tomorrow. I don't know if they are making gasoline yet. We have four shut down here, I'm sure Houston has several down, and over where Gustav hit there are three or four. That's a lot of not making gasoline.