As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, panic-buying has left a growing number of gas stations without fuel.
Despite being downgraded to a Category 4 storm on Tuesday, it was later re-evaluated as a Category 5, prompting over a million residents to evacuate.
The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where many are still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene just weeks prior.
By Tuesday evening, approximately 17.4% of Florida’s gas stations had run out of fuel, compared to almost no shortages the day before, according to GasBuddy.
With residents rushing to evacuate, demand for gasoline has surged, contributing to the widespread fuel shortages.
Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna called for her constituents to “evacuate immediately” ahead of Hurricane Milton.
“I am asking everyone to EVACUATE immediately,” Milton posted on X. “This is going to be a catastrophic hit.”
USA Today reported that Milton is expected to be a Category 5 hurricane, with winds up to 175 mph across its path.