AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – Gas prices are rising in Texas as officials begin to assess the damage from Hurricane Laura.
The storm made landfall in Southwestern Louisiana early Thursday morning as a Category 4 and weakened to a Category 1 as the hours progressed.
The statewide gas price average in Texas is $1.92 for a gallon of regular unleaded. AAA Texas reports that price is five cents more than on this day last week but 40 cents less compared to this day last year.
Texas’ gas price average falls well below the national cost for a gallon of regular unleaded which is $2.23.
Across the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, drivers are paying about $1.95 for a gallon of regular unleaded. That’s up seven cents from this day last week.
AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster said despite the increase in the wake of the storm, there is some good news. Major damage at refining facilities in the Beaumont and Port Arthur areas seems to have been avoided.
“Early reports indicate that most U.S. Gulf Coast refining equipment in Laura’s path was spared from significant damage, except for two in Louisiana. While damage surveys are still underway Thursday morning, regional gasoline stocks remain healthy which has helped to keep prices from spiking significantly,” he said.
Armburster said gasoline stock levels are healthy, increasing regionally week-to-week, which should help offset immediate significant price spikes.
However, gas industry analysts caution that if platforms and rigs are offline for an extended amount of time, supply could tighten and gas prices could be impacted.
Drivers in Odessa are paying the most on average at $2.12 while San Antonio drivers are paying the least at $1.83 per gallon of regular unleaded.
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