Patience wears thin as frustrated drivers endure long lines at gas pumps

Honking horns don't deter committed residents from stocking up ahead of Dorian

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – There were plenty of honking horns from frustrated drivers Friday morning as long lines formed at gas stations ahead of Hurricane Dorian.

The lines were growing outside the RaceTrac on Pembroke Road in Pembroke Park early Friday.

Alfonso Chavez was one of the lucky ones. He didn't have to wait too long before filling up several red gas canisters.

"Well, it's for my generator," Chavez told Local 10 News, interrupted by the sound of honking horns.

Alfonso Chavez fills several canisters with gas as long lines form at a RaceTrac gas station ahead of Hurricane Dorian, Aug. 30, 2019, in Pembroke Park, Florida.

Mackly Louis ignored the clutter around him. He was focused on getting gas.

"Probably, but I'm really not paying attention to it," Louis said when asked if he thought tempers were flaring. "I just want to pump the gas and get to work."

Lines formed for gas at the RaceTrac about 4 a.m.

The early risers seemed to be in a better mood than those forced to wait in line.

Roberta Jones said she's been struggling to get gas in Fort Lauderdale. Then she saw Local 10 News reporter Jenise Fernandez's live reports from the RaceTrac.

"It has been heck trying to get gas since yesterday after work," Jones said. "And this morning I just happened to be up and I saw the broadcast and I drove a few main streets and everybody was bagged, and I was so glad that you were here."

Gov. Ron DeSantis reassured Floridians that there is plenty of fuel available.

"There's a lot of fuel in Florida," DeSantis said Thursday. "It's just when a gas station runs out, the trucks have to bring it in from the port."

Some gas stations were running out of gas by Friday afternoon.

"I'm not sure when I'm getting my delivery," said Kahn Abu, who manages a gas station in Pembroke Park.

Abu said he received 7,000 gallons of fuel Friday morning after running out Thursday night.

He's not alone, as many other gas stations are in the same situation.

The manager of a gas station on Hallandale Beach Boulevard said they ran out of gas around 7 a.m.

On Friday afternoon, he said they wouldn't be able to get more gas for another eight hours because the fuel trucks were at the port, and he's waiting for them to come by.

Trucks will continue to deliver gas as long as it's safe. 

The challenge, they say, is getting the gasoline from the terminals to the pump.

"I think (in) Miami, 48 percent of the gas stations were out as of this morning," DeSantis said. "Fuel is constantly being brought in."


About the Authors
Jenise Fernandez headshot

Jenise Fernandez joined the Local 10 News team in November 2014. She is thrilled to be back home reporting for the station she grew up watching. Jenise, who is from Miami and graduated from Florida International University, also interned at Local 10 while she was in college.

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