Las Vegas Drivers Panic, Rush To Gas Stations
If you’re one of the many people who tried to get gas Friday afternoon in Las Vegas, you may have noticed outrageous lines. Especially at places like Sam’s Club and Costco, which offer discounted fuel prices. People waited up to an hour to fill up their tanks. While lines at other local gas stations were nearly vacant.
The panic ensued when Clark County officials announced a leak in a gas pipeline. The leak was in a Kinder Morgan pipeline in California. Which is one of two major pipelines that provides for gas storage facilities for Southern Nevada., 8NewsNow reported.
On Friday evening, Governor Joe Lombardo released a statement issuing a state of emergency, but urging Nevada residents not to panic.
“Tonight, I am declaring a state of emergency for the fuel pipeline leak impacting Southern Nevada. This emergency declaration will allow us to receive federal waivers and resources as we navigate the evolving repair timeline, and it will allow us to increase transportation of fuel by other means during this time.
As we continue to monitor this dynamic situation, our office will remain in constant communication with Kinder Morgan, the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, and Clark County officials. Once estimated repair times are finalized, our office will provide an update. To avoid any unnecessary shortages, I strongly urge all Las Vegas residents to avoid panic buying while awaiting repair timeline updates.”
It was discovered that the source of the leak was in the Los Angeles area. The leak was isolated in Long Beach at the Watson Station. Fuel delivery was resumed by Saturday afternoon, Kinder Morgan has successfully resumed pipeline operations.
The state of emergency will remain in effect until emergency management partners are able to confirm that fuel transportation and supply have fully returned to normal. pic.twitter.com/8j6iDBph2R
Governor Lombardo released a follow up statement Saturday afternoon on Twitter.
Kinder Morgan has successfully resumed pipeline operations.
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) February 11, 2023
The state of emergency will remain in effect until emergency management partners are able to confirm that fuel transportation and supply have fully returned to normal. pic.twitter.com/8j6iDBph2R
All should be back to normal now in Las Vegas. And, bonus…the lines are probably going to be pretty short for the next few days.
Follow us! Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.