Despite the long lines at the pumps, Southwest Florida is not in jeopardy of running out of gasoline. People have been waiting to top off their tanks at gas stations around Southwest Florida. In Punta Gorda the truck stop was a buzz Thursday morning with people like Nigel James of Bradenton, on his way home from Miami.

“I’m getting prepared. I’m trying to get my fuel and some food stuff and just wait and see what’s taking place.”

Fuel distributors are in hurricane mode – trucks are running around the clock to keep up with demand. There is an adequate supply of fuel for everyone, says Governor Jeb Bush.

“In fact we have more than 200 million gallons of fuel in its ports, a significantly high number. And the surveys we do of gas stations throughout the state show that there’s ample supplies of fuel and so you don’t have to hoard. Please make sure you have ample supplies of gasoline too when you need to evacuate or shelter in place you have enough fuel to get through the period, but don’t hoard because there’s more than adequate supplies.”

Energy economists say there’s no disruption in the supply and refinery production continues to improve following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.