Emergency services remain available as county urges conservation, patience during gas shortage
Motorists line up for gas at the Vasco on East 5th Street in Tabor City Monday evening. (Gavin Niven for TLT)
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
Conservation and patience are key recommendations from Columbus County government as gas stations throughout the region struggle to keep up with demand in the aftermath of a ransomware attack impacting the east coast’s major gas pipeline.
Despite the shortage, “the County is prepared to provide continued availability of emergency services,” a Wednesday news release from County Attorney and public information officer Amanda Prince said.
Lines have become common at gasoline outlets throughout the region, including Columbus and Horry counties, since Monday evening. Many stations have been closed, some re-opening as they are resupplied.
Cordial conversation at the Sidney Service Mart pumps Monday evening. (Amy Niven for TLT)
Citizens can help “lessen the impact of the shortage,” the news release said. “The county requests citizens do the following:
- Use gas conservatively
- Do not hoard available gas
- Respect others and wait patiently at gas stations
- Report price gouging to the NCDOJ at 1-877-5-NOSCAM
Additional information will be posted here as events warrant, and in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.
