Hurricane Isaias is stirring concerns about potential gas price hikes in California, particularly in the Bay Area. The Category 2 storm, with winds exceeding 105 mph, is expected to pass through key offshore oil rigs and refineries in the Gulf, which could lead to disruptions in oil production.
AAA of Northern California warns that any interruption in oil supply could drive up gas prices locally. Chevron and Shell have already started shutting down some of their production sites in anticipation of the storm. Doug Johnson of AAA notes that even a minor impact on global oil supply could influence prices at the pump.
For small business owners like Jose Bracamontes, who fills gas containers for his family's taco truck, rising fuel costs are already cutting into profits. Bracamontes mentioned that filling up three containers costs around $95, excluding propane. Similarly, landscaper Jimmy Lozano is feeling the pinch as fuel expenses eat into his earnings.
While short-term power outages may not significantly affect prices, prolonged shutdowns of oil rigs and refineries could have a more substantial impact. Consumers like Lozano are bracing for further financial strain, attributing recent price increases to global events like war and natural disasters.