5 Reasons To Fill Up Your Car Before A Storm

Reasons To Fill Up Your Car Before A Storm

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With big storms — hurricanes, tropical storms, winter storms, and the like — you usually get a heads up.

If you’re in the storm’s path, there is a lot you need to do to prepare. You need to stock up on food, create an evacuation plan, and potentially evacuate.

If you’re not in the path of the storm, you may still be affected by it. So these reasons to fill up before a storm can apply to you as well.

Reason 1: Gas may not be available

During Hurricane Matthew, because of the debris and damage, it was really difficult for anyone to get to our area. But when Hurricane Florence hit us, it was basically impossible for anyone to get here.

And that included gas tankers.

Our gas supply was very limited, and gas stations were running out of gas. So many of the gas stations we passed had their fuel pumps wrapped up in plastic wrap with “No Gas” signs placed on them.

Prices went up at stations that had gas. And the lines at those stations were so long. My parents waited over an hour at a gas station in hopes of filling up. And, of course, sitting on lines waiting for gas, when you already have low fuel, is really scary.

Reason 2: You may need gas for a generator

Hurricane Florence moved so slowly. It hovered over our town for three days, knocking out power for the same amount of time.

People who stayed in town had two options: Run a home generator or be without power for 72 hours.

We knew people who stayed, but, after days of running a generator, they started to run out of gas for it. And gas stations were inaccessible or out of gas.

If you’re staying home during the storm, and you think you might need to run a generator, definitely fill your car up before the storm — and fill up gas cans you might have too so you can run your generator if you need to.

Reason 3: You may need to evacuate

There’s a chance that you may need to evacuate due to the storm. And you need gas to be able to drive our of town.

If you decide too late that you want to leave, and you’re trying to fill up your car on your way out, there’s a chance that the gas stations will be empty. So you’ll have to hope that you have enough gas to get to the next station.

That’s such a nerve-wracking experience.

So honestly, just fill up your car while you’re out getting your milk and bread. And, if you go out again and use some of that gas, just stop at a gas station and top your tank off — even if it’s only one gallon.

Trust me when I tell you that one gallon could be so precious depending on how bad the storm is.

If you do need to leave town, be sure to read out What To Pack If You Have To Evacuate For A Hurricane post to make sure you’re bringing everything you need.

Reason 4: The storm may knock out gas station’s power

You would expect every store to have a generator in the case of an emergency. But they don’t. And gas stations don’t either.

So if the storm knocks out your power, it may also affect the pumps at the gas station. And that means the pumps might not be able to dispense gas.

But, it also means a gas station might have trouble with its point of sale system. If the power goes out, the registers might not be able to take credit cards.

This has actually happened to me more than once when I was in shopping. Cashiers were so kind and were offering to let shoppers pay with cash at the register. But if you didn’t have cash, you were out of luck.

I’ve known of gas stations that fell into the same predicament after a storm. You could only pay cash.

So always go to the bank or ATM machine before a storm and take out cash in case you need it.

Take it out before the storm. I can’t stress that enough. Before.

Because you know what? If that storm knocks out the bank’s power, there will be no way for the ATM to dispense cash and then you’re really in trouble.

Reason 5: You shouldn’t pump gas during a storm

I am 100% against anyone going out during a storm. Ten of out ten do not recommend, as the kids would say.

But seriously, don’t go out in a storm. I don’t even open the door when we’re dealing with a tropical storm. I’ll watch it from the window, sure, but a closed window.

I don’t know why, but our neighbors always ask me if I went out during the wind. No. I kept myself safe and indoors, thankyouverymuch.

So I absolutely would recommend you stay indoors when there’s a storm. And that includes not going out for necessities. Get your food and gas before the storm.

Because, also, it’s not safe to pump gas during a thunderstorm. You shouldn’t be out at a pump while there’s wind, thunder, lightning, and a hurricane around you.

And, lightning could hit the gas station. While you expect them all to be up to date and grounded, I’ve pumped gas way too many times at pumps that appear older than my parents. And I can’t imagine those stations are state of the art.

So instead of potentially electrocuting yourself because you decided during a hurricane that you needed gas, heed my warning — and all these reasons to fill up your car before a storm — and get gas when it’s safe.

Reason 6:

So, a bonus reason that I just saw on Twitter from TFG870:

“Fun fact your fuel tank/ line can build up condensate when you are low on fuel and freeze up/block the fuel line.. Keeping it full negates that”

More Hurricane Preparedness:

If you’re filling up your car because of a hurricane, and not just a regular storm, there are other safety precautions you need to keep in mind.

You want to keep your phone charged (or have a solar power bank handy), restock your emergency kit and make sure everything is working and up to date, and have shelf stable meals ready in case you lose power.

Our How To Prepare For A Hurricane Guide will help you with all of those things, and more. It’s filled with Hurricane Preparedness Checklist & Tips, ideas for food if you lose power, emergency lighting options, and more.