ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Hurricane Isaac's furious trek through the Gulf of Mexico has caused problems for consumers here in metro Atlanta as gas prices soar and airline flights are canceled.
The average price for regular gasoline around metro Atlanta was $3.95 a gallon on Wednesday. That was up from $3.72 a week ago and $3.57 one year ago, according to the website gasbuddy.com.
Higher gas prices were expected because of the approaching Labor Day weekend. But Hurricane Isaac sent prices up even higher.
The domino effect began when many oil refineries shut down late last week to avoid damage, heightening fears of gas shortages.
That caused gas stations to raise prices on inventory they already have in their tank, fuel bought at lower prices before Isaac was a blip on the radar.
Ric Cobb, executive director with the Georgia Petroleum Council, said gas stations raised their prices, anticipating the higher price they would have to pay in the aftermath of Isaac.
"If they know the replacement cost is going to jump, they will use the product they have in the increase to increase the price," Cobb said. "If you have gas in the ground you paid $1 a gallon for, and you know your next load will cost $1.25 a gallon, you're going to increase the cost of gas in the ground to pay for the next load."
Customers complained that the logic makes little sense.
"It may ultimately have an impact on prices, but they're changing overnight," Carmen Simons argued. "You can't say I'm going to charge you more today because it costs more tomorrow, and tomorrow, I'm going to charge more anyway."
Elle Sees, another customer, is on vacation but said she can't go anywhere because it costs too much to fuel up and drive.
"I don't think it's fair. They shouldn't be allowed to jack up prices," Sees said.
Dayana Duvant of Atlanta spent $90.81 to fill the tank of her SUV Wednesday morning.
"We will not celebrate Labor Day this weekend," Duvant said. "We will stay in-town. I cannot afford gas prices and take this big thing out of town. This will not happen."
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