Local Residents Desperate for Gas to Run Generators, Cars

It's a scene that has become all too common in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Thursday morning Hess on Route 34 in Matawan set up a generator and received a delivery of approximately 6,000 gallons of gas. Before the station even officially opened, cars began lining up along the highway in hopes of filling their tanks.

At about 1 p.m., the queue stretched from the station around Broad Street and all the way back to St. Clement. Some customers reported waiting about two hours for gas.

Numerous people also arrived by foot, clutching their red gas containers in hopes of keeping their generators powered.

By 2:30 p.m., gas station employees advised police that they were running low on their supply, and the line was cut off.

Marlboro resident Anthony Torres was the last person allowed in the pedestrian line. He lost power at his home Monday night and has been searching for gas around New Jersey to keep his refridgerator cold, his house warm, and his cars running.

"My wife called me and told me these guys were open," Torres said. "Yesterday I went to Woodbridge to the Hess on 9. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. I waited just to get to the driveway and they ran out."

Torres was able to fuel up his car later that night at a Wawa in Howell, where he waited from 11:30 p.m. to about 1:30 a.m. But he wasn't able to get gas for his generator.

According to Lt. Ben Smith, Hess contacted the police department to get approval for the generator Wednesday evening. In anticipation of the lines, police were stationed on Route 34 to help control traffic.

"We haven't had any problems. Everyone's just been waiting in line, very cordial," he said. "We're hoping that the gas stations that were open get replenished soon."

Station attendants did not know when or if they would get another shipment of gas.