Here in North Carolina, gas prices are $3.00.  That’s pretty much the same effect that everyone is feeling. 

However, there are reports of gas stations in South Carolina and Georgia running out of gas, and closing shop.

Is there a pending fuel shortage?   Airlines seem to think so.

UPDATE:  Just came across this statement from N.C. governor Mike Easley:

The two major pipelines that furnish gasoline to many states, including North Carolina, have been affected by Hurricane Katrina and are currently without electricity. They service North Carolina and 8-10 other states.

90 percent of our gas comes from these pipelines and right now they are not operational.

Suppliers generally have a week or so of supply. They have been shut down since the hurricane.

The pipelines need electric supply and the refineries that produce gasoline need to make urgent repairs also are without electricity.

The refineries that produce gasoline need to make urgent repairs.

Consequently, we do not know the extent of the problem, but we do know that there will be a signifcant loss of gasoline in the Southeast, at least in the short term, until the electricity is restored.

This is not only a state problem, this is also a regional and a national problem. We are hoping that the Department of Energy will take some action as soon as possible. I have tried to get direction from DOE, but they have not yet responded.

In the meantime, I am asking all North Carolinians to conserve gas. Some stations are already out.Wait for more information before making Labor Day travel plans.

We are taking steps to ensure that emergency vehicles have the supplies that they need, police, fire and rescue.

I am immediately suspending all non-essential state government travel. I am asking state employees to carpool wherever possible.

I am also asking all our citizens to be smart about their fuel consumption.

I am asking them to carpool if they can and to limit non-essential road trips.

We are not out of gas, but we are running low.

We must take steps to conserve our resources while we learn the full extent of the problems and while Washington works toward a regional and national strategy.

With careful use of precious fuel, consumers can help us weather this latest storm.

North Carolina understands hurricanes. We have been through them and we know that we will weather this one as we have in the past. We know they cause distruption. We just need to know as much as we can and plan.

UPDATE 2:  Uh-oh.

"Out of Gas" signs and yellow caution tape were draped across pumps that were out of gas in parts of the United States early Thursday after many retailers were overrun by panicked motorists looking to top off their tanks as prices soared past $3 per gallon and reports of shortages spread.

Many gas stations in and around downtown Atlanta had run out of gas by sunrise. The same was reported in elsewhere, including parts of North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Arizona.