Tanker trucks flood Wilmington as gas drought fears rise

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — While gas pumps in other parts of North Carolina and around the south run dry, gas providers are turning to the Port City for help.

Tanker trucks have lined S. Front Street in Wilmington today as they wait to fill up at the fuel terminal. The line of trucks have caused traffic delays in the area, but they are trying to help restock gas stations around the region that have limited supplies because of the work to repair a leaking gas pipeline in Alabama that feeds much of the southeast.

Over the weekend Gov. Pat McCrory eased restrictions on fuel tanker drivers to help them reach their destinations. The state has also enacted price gouging laws to protect consumers.

The owner the Colonial Pipeline says crews are working around the clock to fix the line. In the meantime, Colonial says it has increased using a second line to get gas moving.

In the meantime, gas prices have increased around the southeast, including North Carolina, where AAA says the price of a gallon of gas jumped to $2.16 today. That’s up from an average of $2.05 last week.