Despite Hurricane Florence battering the Carolinas this weekend, gas prices in Virginia remained relatively stable.
Last week, AAA Tidewater predicted gas prices could rise as a result of the storm, but prices instead have stayed consistent at $2.62, only 1 cent more than last month.
Florence had “little to no impact” on gas prices, AAA said in a news release.
The cost of gas in Hampton Roads is at $2.61, 1 cent less than the state average.
Virginia ranks ninth in the country for least expensive gas, with lower prices only found in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri and Texas.
Virginia was spared from the bulk of Florence’s rains and winds, but AAA reports that North Carolina, which had more than 30 inches of rain in some areas, saw gas prices rise 3 cents.
There is also concern about fuel availability in areas of coastal North Carolina and Virginia following Florence, AAA said. Many residents bought gas and topped of their tanks after being ordered to evacuate the area, leaving some gas stations with little or no fuel.
Overall, the Mid-Atlantic region has a “healthy” inventory at 66.7 million barrels which is the second-highest inventory ever recorded for the region at this time of year.
Once water levels decrease and power is restored, the hurricane-affected areas can be resupplied with fuel, AAA said.
