Will Hurricane Ian drive up gas prices in Charlotte? Here’s what to expect at the pump

As Hurricane Ian makes landfall in the U.S. and is expected to make its way through the Southeast, the possibility of the storm driving up gas prices, including in North Carolina, looms.

It remains to be seen how much of an impact the storm will have on gas prices, but the possibility of increases comes as drivers were just getting some relief at the pump after months of increases.

Here’s what to know about how hurricanes can impact gas prices and what to expect at the pump in North Carolina as Hurricane Ian makes its way through the region:

Charlotte gas prices amid Hurricane Ian

The national average for a gallon of regular gas has ticked up in recent days, per AAA, to $3.76.

Things are slightly better for drivers in North Carolina, where the average sits at $3.32 as of Wednesday. Mecklenburg County’s average was $3.38, AAA added, while the Charlotte metro area’s average was $3.34.

Use the interactive map below to compare gas prices across the state:

Why do hurricanes drive up gas prices?

Hurricanes can drive up gas prices by affecting the production of gasoline if refineries are in the path of a storm and have to shut down.

Whether or not Hurricane Ian will have such an impact remains to be seen, AAA advises.

“Slack demand and lower oil prices should take some pressure off rising gas prices,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said in a statement. “But Hurricane Ian could cause problems, depending on the storm’s track, by disrupting oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and impacting large coastal refineries.”

President Joe Biden weighed in on the issue Wednesday, calling on oil and gas companies to hold steady while speaking about the hurricane.

“Do not, let me repeat, do not use this as an excuse to raise gasoline prices or gouge the American people,” he said.

This story was originally published September 28, 2022 at 2:58 PM.

Mary Ramsey

The Charlotte Observer

Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription