The weathermen say that there MAY be getting a hurricane heading your way. Everyone is watching the forecast and you are still several days out. When should you worry about gas and when should you fill up?

So many questions are going to rely on if you need to evacuate, the path of the storm, are you stable or are you threatened, strength of the storm, and who are you evacuating out of the area?

First, realize that getting fuel at the last minute maybe impossible to accomplish. Gas lines will get long and depending upon the path of the storm, stations may run out. In Florida, the state does it’s best to ensure that fuel is delivered to stations as late as possible to make fuel readily available. However with the sheer number of people who may be evacuating before the storm, there may just not be enough. Keeping your tank full or nearly full the days ahead of a storm is always a wise idea. And if you will be powering generators after a storm, or carrying gasoline with you while evacuating, then these should be filled early if at all possible. I have heard many stories of evacuees leaving from South Florida heading North only to run out of gas along the way and not being able to find gas at stations, thus being “Stuck” somewhere along the way.

After the storm, if power is taken down, then you may be looking at days or even weeks until it is restored. What about power for a generator? Do you have a Generator? Here are some tips I live by here in Florida.

  1. I keep at least 5 EMPTY gasoline cans at home. Though Gas may be difficult to find, gas cans will be IMPOSSIBLE to find right before the storm.
  2. If evacuating, I will carry these in the bed of my truck carefully stored while pulling my camper. In this case I may carry additional gas with me as my mileage in the truck drops to just 10mpg pulling my camper. Know your range and have enough gas for at least 1 fill up.
  3. If possible, keep the extra gas but still fill up at stations. You may need the extra gas on your return home of power is out and no stations, or few stations are pumping.
  4. For Generators carry cans marked (With a Marker) and use Ethanol-free gas only. This extends the life of the generator, though cars don’t so much care.
  5. If storing gas at home, it is best to store OUTDOORS, along the side of the house and covered with a tarp, but OUT of sunlight and heat. Gas will expand often popping off the gas can tops if too hot. KEEP THE CANS SHADED AND COOL.
  6. If bad weather is hitting, and only if necessary, store the cans in the garage or a shed. Best to have ventilation, if possible, but during the worst of the storm this will likely be impossible. Do not store indoors.

REMEMBER – GASOLINE IS HAZARDOUS AND FUMES ARE DEADLY – STORE AND CARRY WITH EXTREME CAUTION.