Hurricane Harvey Causes Gas Price Spike In Indiana

As gas prices shoot up around the country while Hurricane Harvey wreaks havoc in Texas, Indiana is seeing the biggest increase in gas prices. The hurricane has taken one-fourth of the oil refining capacity on the Gulf Coast offline, according to forecasts by Oil Price Information Service, and caused eight Texas refineries to shut down. While today's national gas price average is $2.404 a gallon, Indiana is at $2.413 a gallon, according to AAA. That's an increase of 11 cents since Monday for Indiana motorists, a higher surge than any other state in the country.

As of Monday, Aug. 28 gas prices have increased by 9 cents in Ohio, 7 cents in Florida and Michigan and 6 cents in Illinois, according to AAA.

“No doubt, Harvey has impacted operations and access to refineries in the Gulf Coast," AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano said, adding that the full extent of the damage at Texas refineries was still unknown. “Despite the country’s overall oil and gasoline inventories being at or above 5-year highs, until there is clear picture of damage and an idea when refineries can return to full operational status, gas prices will continue to increase.” (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Indianapolis Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts and LIKE Indianapolis Patch on Facebook).

Watch: How Might Hurricane Harvey Impact The Oil Industry And Environment?

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The unprecedented rainfall and flooding prompted the activation of the entire Texas National Guard. Hundreds of thousands of residents had evacuated as the death toll reached 30 on Wednesday.

But that hasn't stopped people from traveling down south to help, including Indiana evangelist Clayton Jennings, who left Tuesday morning to bring donations and conduct a prayer service Wednesday in Houston.

More information: gasprices.aaa.com

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