Hurricane Katrina impacting the price of gasoline in Tulsa

Hurricane Katrina is already having an effect on your gas gauge. The refinery shut-down in the gulf has supplies running short, so wholesalers are raising their price, which means you're going to

Monday, August 29th 2005, 5:30 pm

By: News On 6

Hurricane Katrina is already having an effect on your gas gauge. The refinery shut-down in the gulf has supplies running short, so wholesalers are raising their price, which means you're going to be paying more at the gas pump.

News on 6 anchor Tami Marler went to the Flying J Truck Stop in east Tulsa, where folks are lining up to fill-up before that happens.

Gasoline prices were already at a record high and about to go up even more with typical Labor Day demand. But Katrina is putting an even tighter squeeze on demand and area retailers are scrambling to adjust their prices.

The News on 6 spoke with one Tulsa retailer Monday, who said his wholesale cost went up fifteen cents Monday, so his prices will go up to at least $2.70 by Tuesday morning. Other retailers tell us they could go as high as $2.99.

Federal officials say Katrina has shut-down 92 percent of the Gulf Coast's oil output, but companies there report minimal damage to platforms.

The Bush administration is reportedly considering dipping into the nation's emergency oil stockpile to help avoid an economic disaster.