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Subscribe to RSSLines are long and open gas stations are few and far between in New York and New Jersey, as drivers wait to fill up their tanks. NBC's Katy Tur reports.
Justin Lane / EPA
National Guard troops dispense gasoline in Queens on Saturday.
The gasoline shortage in the New York City area should be over in "a couple more days," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Saturday, urging New Yorkers to be patient even as officials promised free gas only to then add this caveat: first responders first, then the public can line up.
Electrical power and deliveries are coming back online, Bloomberg said at a press conference, but even so "it may take a few more days before you see this additional supply."
Earlier Saturday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that "fuel is on the way" with the Department of Defense deploying five mobile fuel stations to New York City and Long Island, albeit with a 10 gallon limit.
"The good news," Cuomo said of the promised 12 million gallons, "is it's going to be free."
At least 1,000 drivers queued up at one site -- the Freeport Armory in Long Island -- only to be told the gasoline would not arrive for at least eight hours more, one driver said.
"There's just so many people getting very frustrated. People don't know what to do,'' said Lauren Popkoff, a teacher who had been in line for four hours.
The mobile station that opened in Queens was also swamped, NBCNewYork.com reported, with a line of cars stretching 20 blocks.
But the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs later issued an advisory asking the public to stay away from the mobile stations until more fuel is released.
National Guard Col. Richard Goldenberg said Saturday afternoon that people who were already at the distribution sites would not be turned away.
Cuomo added that the reopening of New York Harbor has provided 8 million gallons of fuel and another 28 million will be delivered over the next two days.
Tempers flared as people camped out all night, waiting for their turn at the pump in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. NBC's Tom Costello reports.
A third of the stations in New York City were closed Saturday due to power outages or lack of fuel -- a significant improvement from Friday when two thirds were closed.
When word of free gas spread Saturday, people rushed to the mobile stations.
"I left my coffee on the table and ran out," said Tatiana Gomez of Staten Island, who heard about it on the news while having breakfast.
Her's was the sixth car in line but she still had to wait 2 1/2 hours for the delivery to arrive.
National Guardsmen walked through the crowd, handing out water to those waiting.
"I think since 9/11 we've pulled together as people," Robert Costantino said while in line. "Now, when there's a crisis, we pull together."
Long lines also continued at regular gas stations.
"It's pandemonium out here," said Chris Damon, who was waiting among hundreds, many honking their horns, at a Brooklyn station. "I feel like a victim of Hurricane Katrina. I never thought it could happen here in New York, but it's happened."
Desperate drivers continued to flood north to Connecticut in hopes of finding fuel. Gas lines snaked down surburban side streets as state troopers and local police maintained order and directed the traffic choking U.S. Route 1 , the main artery that runs parallel to Interstate 95 along the coast from New York city to Boston. The backups were mostly confined to stations in Greenwich and Stamford, the first locations across the state line. Gas stations further up the line were operating with little or not waiting.
The availability of fuel north of the city resulted largely because Connecticut dodged two major factors that crimped the flow of gasoline in New York and New Jersey. Many stations in New York City and New Jersey were without power and unable to pump gas.
The closure of New York Harbor – to clear dangerous debris and check navigation buoys – delayed some tanker shipments. Most coastal Connecticut stations, by contrast, had power restored by Saturday and tanker deliveries to coastal Long Island sound gasoline terminals in Bridgeport and New Haven were largely uninterrupted.
Tom Kloza, chief analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, told The Associated Press that drivers seem to fear that stations will be out of gas for a week or more.
"There are some people who need it, but there are a lot of people who are panicking," Kloza said. "There's plenty of fuel. This will be over in days."
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Superstorm Sandy made landfall Monday evening on a destructive and deadly path across the Northeast.
In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie on Friday ordered gas rationing in 12 counties to begin on Saturday under an "odd-even" system in which motorists with license plates ending in odd numbers would be able to buy gas on odd-numbered days.
Christie said Saturday that he hoped the restrictions would only last "a few days."
This article includes reporting by NBC News' John Schoen, Reuters and The Associated Press.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Manhattan electricity nearly restored, other areas still dark
- Sandy death toll in US rises to 109
- Near-freezing cold, potential nor'easter add to misery
- NYC Marathon canceled
- New York Harbor reopens to offer fuel supply
- How to avoid post-storm insurance and repair scams
- Your Sandy photos: Show us the heroes in your life
- Sandy's aftermath: How you can help
- Full NBC News coverage of Sandy aftermath
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
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Welcome to Obamma's Katrina! The response to this "Government Support" is weaker than the "Government Support" to Katrina or Ike. The media coverage of both "How can people be so stupid to build on an island", this time "Oh my God these poor people". America was built on equality! Let's see some! 3 MORE DAYS! SAVE AMERICA VOTE FOR CHANGE...NO MORE FREE TICKET...NO MORE HAND-OUTS...FREE AMERICA...BYE BYE OBAMA
Out and out, blatant vote buying. What other natural disaster was there free gasoline given out ?
Gee New York people are special I guess. You will get it when it gets there. We had no electric, which meant no gas, for two weeks here in Florida and we survived. What do you fking idiots expect - someone to come to your house and fill your car. Where do you need to go - get your drugs or booze?
We had a HUGE ice/snow storm here in the Pacific Northwest in the beginning of the year that shut us down, some folks for weeks without power, heat, gas, food..we didn't get FREE anything. So you folks on the east coast need to STFU and color for awhile!!!
Couldn't you people in Florida have gotten your Republiclown governor to ask for help maybe? Florida. I lived in Florida for 3 years, I believe I coulda survived on oranges and tangerine sandwiches. And Anita Bryant's good cheer for her fellow humans.
Many victims need to go to funerals.
Some will use the gas to take help to their neighbors.
Hey, FEMA, where is the Generators to pump the fuel already in the ground at the local gas stations! Yep, President Oboma sure cut the red tape on this one! What a dismal joke! But, no-one is laughing! Vote this Tuesday - to save Americans!
"The good news," Cuomo said of the promised 12 million gallons, "is it's going to be free."
Well, it is only "free" to New York in an attempt to by votes days before the election. To rest of us in the country who have to foot the $50 million dollar bill it is hardly "free". People in New York may be bought with a few gallons of gasoline, but the rest of us in the country know we have to pay for it and won't forget come Tuesday.
New York votes Democrat anyway. Why does this bother you? I like it and my family ain't gonna vote for the Mitthead, we ain't full of Mitt. Hahahahaahahaha...you lose.
Hey gary nutbutter, how do you know it was Obama? Maybe the country does know who to vote for on Tuesday. Not gonna be the Mitthead.
Oblaaa blaaa math:
Ruin economy by big government intervention + Massive amounts of food stamp increase + plus lots of federal spending of money we don't have (free gas + free phones + expensive government take overs of private industry) = UNITED SOCIALIST STATES OF AMERICA
FREE CHEESE FOR ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got some free cheese for ya Drew. Better line up and join the commune of your choice now or one will be assigned to you. Maybe you'll get to work for me in socialist Amerika. I'll need an asswiper. Hahahahahaha...
hahahhahahahha. That was really funny billtheclasslesspill! Well, sorry FREE CHEESE guy but I won't be working for you, I am very financially secure and don't need BIG Government so I can sleep at night. It's a mute point anyway, your god is toooooaaaast. He's fired in 3 days. Do that MATH, if you can!!!
They can only do Obamination 's special math for Dummys
nOTE TO oBLAAA BLAAA:
Big Government cannot operate without massive amounts of time consuming and expensive RED TAPE. Speaking of RED, how is your buddy Putin doing????????????
nOTE TO oBLAAA BLAAA:
Big Government cannot operate without massive amounts of time consuming and expensive RED TAPE. Speaking of RED, how is your buddy Putin doing????????????
You're repeating yourself pal. Or maybe you need your meds so you'll quit talking to the other Drew? Yes, he's just as retarded as the first Drew.
hahahahhaha, another good one from a liberal! Did you get that fuzzy feeling up your spineless back when you came up with that one. You know, that feeling you get when you hug a tree, and bow to a picture of god oblaaa blaaa!!!
"FREE" The words that the Oblaaa blaaaa supporters love to hear!!!!!!!!
The Obamanation is celebrating, FREE, FREE, all the free stuff will be here, everyb ody get in line, we're getting more free stuff. Praise be to Allah and Obama, who thinks he is Allah.
These moochers need to take some critical thinking classes and stop waiting on the government to provide.
have a heart the gas is supposed to be for generators for heat ... but they are already out of gas and this isa PR ploy, but it just wasted the victims last gas to get there for NOTHING. wait a go Cuomo .. NY vote the Dems out, if you dont freeze to death first.
Search Ohio voters for Obama and free phones!!!! Funny stuff. These are Obama's people...lol
OK
RE: Locations ... The Staten Island and Queens locations seem to be "somewhat" close to the hardest hit ... the others look like a hike for the hardest hit that need this gas for generators/heat... that said, they are already turning people away .. go and find nothing ... thanks a heck of allot Cuomo ... you wasted the rest of the gas many victims had . wow wait a go dummy Cuomo .. wow, a great press release but they're already out of gas ... NY vote the Democrats out ...if you arent frozen before you can.
'Free gas' is not free.
Sure it is. Just eat beans. You didn't pay for the gas, you paid for the beans. Free. Now do you understand?
No, I don't understand your stupid babbling.
Why doesn't the Depatment of Defense put the gas in phucking Kenya? Freeport? whats with that decision? Why not Massapequa, Babylon, Huntington, or other blue collar neighborhoods? Freeport? Give me a phucking break , please!
Why dontcha ask them? You seem to be a reasonable gal, figure it out.
Thanks, we now know that this gas isnt for all and its isolated ... so why isnt NBC smart enough to report this? ... cause brian willaims head is up obamas anus that why.
HD, thanks for pointing that out about Brian Williams and his head placement! Gave me a good idea!
Hey, bill the pill! Say "hi" to Brian Williams while you're in there!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL...............
Just curious: If someone has a vanity plate that ends with a letter (but no number), how does the odd-even work in New Jersey?
You're SOL!
That's what I thought, Neg.
Everybody knows there is nothing free in this world. This is just another redistribution.
Please stop comparing this to other disasters that have occurred in the US. Katrina didn't get gas because we had a different President making decisions. The strategic reserve is in place for emergencies this is a emergency. If the President had not acted as quickly all you nutty right wingers would have been whining about that. He acted quickly and is being helpful and he is vote buying. You people are unbelievable no matter what he does he is wrong so far as you are concerned.
So what if they are releasing oil and giving free gas. New Jersey and New York give more money to the US tax system than any of you and your red states. Now they are getting some of THEIR money back. This storm did not just hit one general area it hit the entire eastern seaboard there are 112 houses that burned to the ground because firefighters could not get in there to put the fires out. You know who these houses belonged to the same firefighters and police that were forced to stand there and watch their neighborhood burn. The same neighborhood that lost 69 firefighters and police in 9-11. The same neighborhood who had a plane crash in the middle of it in 2009. The same firefighters and police who instead of being with their families right now are helping these other hard hit neighborhoods.
This is not some summer time storm it is November in these hard hit cities. It is cold and the winter weather can be vicious there. They don't have time to move slow and worry about weather you are offended by what they are doing. These folks need help now any and all help the 50 million people that have been affected by the worst storm in our lifetimes.
Not only is what you are saying entirely true, but we also need to look at safety and security issues involved with all these millions of people. If we do not keep this situation under control, it could definitely lead into total chaos and anarchy. So what we have to "give" some things away? It is far better to do that than to have rioting in the streets and looting as has happened in other disasters. All this stuff about "we didn't get this, we didn't get that, and why are they getting that and we didn't" can be saved and argued on another day such as when things get back to normal. You are talking about a very large population area (the largest in the U.S. to be exact) and just imagine all the chaos if the government was not on top of the situation. Of course there are going to be problems especially something of this magnitude. I think the country needs to stay focused on getting everything as close to being back to normal as possible and I know it is going to take time.
Yes, NY may give a lot of money to the US tax system, but that doesn't give it the right to set policy and dictate what the rest of us have to do with our money. I wonder how many people in New York are also on the receiving end - isn't NY the state that gets the most in Section 8 housing, in food stamps?
The mayor of New York City - even the governor of the state - had plenty of time to plan, make arrangements as to how to handle the disaster. Instead, they worried about their marathon. Did it not occur to them that if the power went out people would not be able to get gasoline? Did they not take steps to open shelters, provide for those that may be without power? If I lived in New York I would take the free gas, and use it to go to the polls to vote the bums out that didn't prepare for the disaster.
Another case of not preparing. Just like with Katrina, people had 2 weeks to prepare for this storm. I guess they knew the gubbament would take care of them.
The dead vote Democrat.....lol
And the pumps will be id'd by Red Hot Chili Pepper song Give-it-away Give-it-away Give-it-away Now, sorry I couldn't help it. May they all be safe and protected through this problem and may we all embrace the solution.
They should have offered free 44oz big gulps to those stranded in NYC.
Oh wait a minute.
OK that was funny.
Looks like the people really fell for Democratic false hopes as they lined up to be turned away. Boy, those Democrats really know how to bait their people and then kick em in the groin.
Come and get it!!! No wait, stay awaaay for a while......then we'll tell you when, Oh the Democrats sure know how to set up a system and their followers fall for it every time.
Yes, because telling a mass influx of people that in the middle of a major disaster they may have to wait a little longer because we are having trouble navigating the streets with our tanker trucks is the same thing as telling people that they aren't getting anything. This is a major disaster things are moving maybe not as fast as some would like but when in a situation such as these people are encountering nothing moves fast enough for people that needed it yesterday. They are providing tons of stuff to millions of people it won't happen overnight.
Do what Obama tells you to... Get in line..
Yes it's official you are the most ignorant of them all Jstdawayitis :)
Jstd is just the usual weekend troll.
Jstdadick
@jstdawayitis You know you may have some good points but you mask them with such stupidity that no one cares what you are saying. Why not try to post a message with actual English and then maybe people with stop giving you such a hard time.
He knows!!!!!
Did these people not see or hear the weather report and recommendation last week to fuel up and prepare to be without power.Duh nothing new to us southerners.Get real a couple of days without power and you already crying. I do understand the inconvience believe me, but please learn to heed the warnings or suffer the what comes from ignoring them.Free gas,really.Is OBAMA trying to buy votes?Where is the government when the midwest floods from the MISSISSIPPI or during the fires out west or during the hurricanes down south?
ZIONISM & RACISM always wins. NY + LONG ISLAND
Not all areas in NJ have problems getting gas. I just got a full tank at a WaWa gas station in Ocean County was going back home from Fort Dix on Rt70 and Rt539.Was a line of cars at 3pm but I waited only two minutes on the line..they had 16 pumps open for gas and 4 for diesel fuel. One line only to enter to get gas and controlled by the Wawa employees..that's why it was so easy/fast to get it....was very organized!
Its not lack of gas..it's lack of power to run the pumps in most places.
""The good news," Cuomo said of the promised 12 million gallons, "is it's going to be free.""
At least be honest and admit its not free and will just go on the taxpayer credit card.
Sorry, They won't get it for free. Guess you've never been in a situation like this. You pay but can only get a limited amount. Always a complainer that with no experience in these matters.