Tropical Storm Isaac Intensifies, Gas Prices Rise

As tropical storm Isaac intensified this week, threatening the Gulf Coast with significant storm surge and hurricane force winds, oil companies with refineries in Louisiana have started to evacuate employees and shut-down operations.

The result has meant higher gasoline prices for Wheaton drivers.

AAA is reporting that it is likely drivers across the country will experience higher gas prices as a result of the tropical storm heading toward the Gulf Coast.

Roughly 1.3 billion barrels a day or 8 percent of the country’s refining capacity was taken offline in preparation of Isaac making landfall in Louisiana, according to a story on the Wall Street Journal Monday.

Prices could rise another 10 cents in the coming week, according to a story on CNN Money. 

The nationwide average price of gasoline on Monday was $3.75 a gallon, according to AAA. Closer to home, the agency said the average gallon of gas in Illinois was $3.988. 

The cheapest gas around the Wheaton area Friday was at Shell, 204 Geneva Road on North Avenue where a gallon of gas was $4.06. 

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