More Gas May Be On the Way

City and county officials held a last minute press conference this afternoon hoping to reassure drivers that gas supplies will soon return to normal. Mayor Pat McCrory says he's been told by a top official at the U.S. Department of Energy that a very large supply of gasoline should reach Charlotte tomorrow that will ease the current shortage. Meantime, McCrory urges anxious drivers not to worsen the shortage by topping off their tanks. "We also want to encourage citizens to please manage their tempers fears and anxieties," says McCrory. "I also encourage the media to tone down the rhetoric so fear and anxieties are not elevated." While the anticipated shipment of fuel should bring many empty pumps back online tomorrow, McCrory says it still could be another week or two before gas supplies are up to normal levels in Charlotte. Police, fire and public transit officials all say they have enough gas to maintain regular operations.