Fuel Shortage Emergency Declared in 6 States as Gas Stations Run Dry

Emergency declarations have now been issued in six states as fuel supply shortages hit gas stations, farms and trucking routes across the Midwest and beyond. Nebraska's governor signed an executive order on October 19, and stations around Omaha are telling drivers something you almost never hear from a gas station: conserve your fuel.

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Nebraska: "Many Stations Are Completely Out of Gas"

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order on Monday, October 19, to respond to what the state is calling extreme motor fuel supply shortages. Drivers across the Omaha metro have been reporting gas station supply issues, with multiple stations saying they are out of gas.

One local station, the Cornhusker Quick Stop, posted a warning to customers that Omaha and the surrounding area are running extremely low on fuel because of shortages at the fuel terminals:

"Many stations are completely out of gas and we are just about empty as well. We are doing our best to get fuel, but we are at the mercy of the terminals that supply it. So conserve your fuel for the time being and please be patient with us."

Casey's, which runs stores across the region, also acknowledged the problem at locations in West Omaha, saying it is aware of "temporary fuel supply challenges affecting availability at some locations" and is working with suppliers to restore full availability as quickly as possible.

Six States Have Now Declared Emergencies

Nebraska is not alone. According to the declarations shown in the video, emergency orders tied to fuel supply have been issued in:

• Nebraska: executive order signed October 19 over motor fuel shortages
• Michigan: state of emergency and energy emergency declaration
• Maryland: emergency declaration focused on diesel for agriculture and forestry
• Illinois: a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation covering every county, tied to fuel shortages and harvest problems
• Kentucky: state of emergency
• North Dakota: emergency declaration

That is a wide footprint, stretching from the Great Plains to the Mid-Atlantic, and it lands right in the middle of harvest season.

What the Emergency Orders Actually Do

These declarations mainly loosen the rules so fuel can move faster. The big changes:

• Hours-of-service waivers for truck drivers. Normally drivers can only be behind the wheel for a set number of hours before a mandatory rest break. Those limits are being waived so fuel haulers can run longer routes and make more deliveries.
• Dyed diesel allowed on roadways. Dyed (off-road, untaxed) diesel, usually reserved for farm equipment and machinery, is being allowed for on-road use to stretch available supply.

But here's the problem: letting trucks drive longer doesn't create more fuel. If the terminals and pipelines are empty, drivers are just driving farther to find a terminal that still has something.

Truckers: "They Keep Running Out"

Fuel truck drivers in Nebraska are driving farther, waiting longer and working more hours to keep stations stocked. Driver Jeff Tyree said haulers have been heading west to find fuel:

"We've mainly been pulling fuel out of North Platte. That's usually a major hub from the surrounding areas. They keep running out. We're currently out of gas over there."

With North Platte tapped out, trucks are lining up at the terminal in Doniphan instead. "The diesel came in this morning, but it's already running out. It's on allocation," Tyree said. In other words, the fuel is spoken for before it even arrives.

Another driver, Jordan Beer, said the shortages have gotten worse every year: "Some weeks are worse than others. Pipelines are running out for multiple days at a time. A few years ago, it was like maybe one or two days."

It's Not Just Diesel Anymore

This started as a diesel squeeze hitting farmers and delivery routes. Now regular, mid-grade and premium gasoline are running short too. That's not surprising: diesel and gasoline come out of the same refining process, so a diesel crunch tends to spill into gasoline after a lag. We're watching that happen now.

Gov. Pillen's order pointed to "a combination of factors, including global supply disruptions and the incredibly short and busy harvest season," which has boosted demand across the board.

Why This Can Snowball

• The harvest. Farmers need diesel to bring in the corn. Corn feeds ethanol production, and ethanol is blended into gasoline. A delayed harvest can mean less ethanol and even tighter gas supply.
• Crop damage. Weeks of heavy rain and flooding across the Midwest have already left soybeans and corn molding, sprouting and rotting in the field, putting even more pressure on this harvest.
• The power grid. Large backup and peaking diesel generators support the grid. Diesel shortages add strain and can push energy prices higher for everyone.
• Low reserves. U.S. petroleum reserves are at their lowest levels in decades, leaving less cushion when supply chains break down.

So far, most of the response has been band-aid relief. Nothing announced yet fixes the underlying supply problem.

How to Prepare Right Now

• Keep your tank above half and avoid unnecessary trips while stations in your area are tight.
• Store a gas can or two of fuel safely. A few gallons can get you home, to work or out of a bad situation if local pumps go dry.
• Have a plan for outages if you rely on a generator, and know how much fuel you have on hand.
• Watch for local alerts so you know about emergencies, outages and shortages before the lines form.

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Stay safe, stay prepared, stay stocked up, and stay ready.