Aiken Struggles with Gasoline Supply Shortages Following Tropical Storm Helene

Aiken Faces Gasoline Supply Challenges Post-Storm

As the dust settles from the recent chaos brought on by Tropical Storm Helene, folks in Aiken are progressively striving to regain some semblance of normalcy. The storm not only rattled the area but also left many residents grappling with gasoline supply issues.

Since the storm passed through, Aiken residents have found it challenging to fill up their gas tanks. According to local State Senator Tom Young, the core problem lies with the lack of electrical service at many gas stations and at the Sunoco fuel distribution center in North Augusta. It all began when power was knocked out during the storm and was only partially restored on September 30. What caused even more frustration? That same night, a tree fell on the power line, knocking out the power again before it was finally restored midday on October 1.

Many people rushed to fill their tanks, especially as stores began to open. At Parker’s Kitchen, located at 136 Jefferson Davis Highway in Aiken, a driver from Waccamaw Transport reported a daunting four-hour wait to get his tanker filled at the distribution center. Some supplies had to come from as far as Charleston, which caused delays for many.

The Circle K store on Columbia Highway was among the first to restore its electrical power, attracting long lines of drivers eager to fill their tanks and stock up on provisions for generators. It was an impressive sight – from the crack of dawn on October 1, patrons flocked to the station. However, by mid-afternoon, the excitement was short-lived as every pump was capped with yellow plastic bags, indicating that their tanks were empty. Just across the street, the Raceway store had a similar story, with tanks running dry.

Amidst the hustle of stocking shelves, Samantha Holtzendorff, the manager of Raceway, couldn’t help but commend her hard-working team. “Everybody’s working hard. The linemen are working hard. The gas station folks are pushing themselves to the limit, and even those cooking at Bojangles and McDonald’s are doing all they can,” she said. Holtzendorff urged the community to remain patient. “We can get gas. We can get groceries. But it’s going to take a little longer, and people just need to hang in there,” she added, sharing silver linings, “Things are going to get better. We all should be thankful that we’re still here.”

For residents, the demand for gasoline has skyrocketed—Holtzendorff estimated that fuel purchases have increased five times compared to the pre-storm period. To help preserve fuel, she suggested her neighbors use their generators wisely: “Run it for three hours and turn it off for three hours. Your freezer will stay frozen, and it will stretch your gasoline supply.”

While electric power has restored at many stations, there’s another barrier. Many are currently unable to sell fuel because they lack Internet or 5G cell service. According to Nick Blanton, a maintenance technician at Raceway, “The newer systems now require internet or cell service so the pumps can communicate with the point-of-sale system inside. Without that technology link, selling gas simply isn’t possible.”

Yet, there’s a silver lining. Senator Young noted that more gas stations reopened by October 2. “The more stores that open, the better it will be for all,” he said, projecting optimism for the coming days. He also recommended residents utilize the GasBuddy app, which updates users on gas station availability, helping everyone to find fuel more efficiently.

Aiken County has shown resilience in the face of adversity as its residents work collaboratively to overcome the challenges posed by the storm. While it may take some time to get everything back on track, the spirit of community and patience shines brightly in Aiken. Perhaps the best takeaway during this challenging period is the reminder of how valuable community support can be in difficult times. Hold tight, Aiken; brighter days are ahead!