Panic at the pump

For many across the southeast, there is nothing to do but wait.

In Atlanta half of all gas stations were completely dry and closed.

In Charlotte there are long lines, and in many cases, short tempers.

The situation so bad that Mayor Pat McCrory is urging people to stay calm.

“Now’s not the time to panic because gas is running out.  Major shipments are on the way,“ he promised Charlotteans on Friday.

Shipments did arrive through the day, but it is unlikely to do more than temporarily ease the pain.

As pumps continue to run empty, the bottom line is Gulf Coast refineries are still getting up to speed after back to back hurricanes.

It could take up to a month to have enough gas to fill the pipelines.

Experts say people topping off their tanks in a panic may be making the situation even more desperate.

Officials are urging people to only fill up when they need to and to keep conserving as much as they can.