Alpharetta, Georgia -- Residents of Atlanta are certainly finding daily life much more difficult than it was just a short time ago. First, the city was struck by a history-making Level 4 drought. As lake levels diminished to record levels, local officials banned all outdoor watering. A renowned, family-owned nursery chain closed their doors after 75 years in business. Pool service and landscaping companies faced hard times, with many of them having to shut down their operations. Citizens were asked to do our part by reducing personal water consumption by 10%. Despite yellowing lawns and filthy cars, we the people of Atlanta adapted well to the new water restrictions, reducing our personal consumption by 10-15%. While the drought continues on at Level 4, and lake levels remain dangerously low, brand new hardships have recently surfaced to re-direct our attention and concern.
Our gas pumps are now as dry as the weather. Due to hurricanes Gustav and Ike, our major oil pipeline into the area is not operating at capacity; and our gas shortage, which started ten days ago, has continued to worsen. Drought-weary citizens are now faced with the extra financial challenge of paying gas prices that are far higher than the national average. That is, if we can find gas at all. We have altered how we consume gasoline because demand has outstripped supply.
As I traveled south on Rt. 141 in North Fulton County in Atlanta, I counted ten gas stations, eight of which had no gas to pump. At the two stations that actually had gas to sell, there were very long lines filled with impatient and disbelieving drivers. Police officers were on hand at one station because the lines of waiting cars spilled out onto a major thoroughfare, causing traffic tie-ups in the area. In each of the eight lines of cars leading up to the individual pumps, a few cars simply ran out of gas while waiting. They had to be pushed through the seemingly endless line by their exhausted driver and passengers. Tempers flared, horns blared.
Our gas pumps are now as dry as the weather. Due to hurricanes Gustav and Ike, our major oil pipeline into the area is not operating at capacity; and our gas shortage, which started ten days ago, has continued to worsen. Drought-weary citizens are now faced with the extra financial challenge of paying gas prices that are far higher than the national average. That is, if we can find gas at all. We have altered how we consume gasoline because demand has outstripped supply.
As I traveled south on Rt. 141 in North Fulton County in Atlanta, I counted ten gas stations, eight of which had no gas to pump. At the two stations that actually had gas to sell, there were very long lines filled with impatient and disbelieving drivers. Police officers were on hand at one station because the lines of waiting cars spilled out onto a major thoroughfare, causing traffic tie-ups in the area. In each of the eight lines of cars leading up to the individual pumps, a few cars simply ran out of gas while waiting. They had to be pushed through the seemingly endless line by their exhausted driver and passengers. Tempers flared, horns blared.
- Atlanta drought
- Long lines at gas pumps in Atlanta
Comments
I second what Will Stape said, welcome to AC.
Good work - welcome to AC! I look forward to reading more of your work.
Dude
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/30/2008
Good article. It sure seems that in Atlanta it's One Danged Thing After Another.
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