As hurricane season enters its peak, here’s how storms could impact SC gas prices
With fall right around the corner, the transition to cheaper gasoline blends and lower demand typically brings down gas prices, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. But the ongoing hurricane season could keep prices elevated.
Though the Palmetto State has avoided serious storms in 2025 so far, August through October is the worst period for named storms in South Carolina.
From Hurricane Erin, which recently brushed the South Carolina coast to the current activity in the Atlantic Ocean, here’s what kinds of hurricanes impact gas prices in South Carolina and best practices to take when filling up your tank.
What are gas prices in SC now?
Prices have fallen 1.7 cents per gallon over the past week in South Carolina, according to a Sept. 2 weekly price review by GasBuddy.
The American Automobile Association states that the average cost for a gallon of regular across the state as of Sept. 3 is $2.85.
De Haan says that gas prices are on track to continue lowering into the fall, “so long as we avoid major hurricanes or other disruptions.”
What kinds of hurricanes impact gas prices in SC?
De Haan says that there are a variety of reasons that gas prices may fluctuate during the Atlantic hurricane season.
“It’s actually fairly rare to see a hurricane make a significant impact on gas prices,” he said. “It doesn’t happen every year.”
The main concern for a gas price spike is when any strong storm heads toward refineries in the Gulf of Mexico, largely in Louisiana and Texas.
Factors such as wind damage or flooding can knock refineries offline, delay oil deliveries and disrupt crude oil production — all of which can lead to higher gas prices.
The last time those refineries took a major hit, causing a price spike across the country, was in 2017, when Hurricane Harvey swept through Houston that August, quickly followed by Irma in September.
When determining if a hurricane could impact gas prices for South Carolinians, De Haan said that “hurricanes that form down in the Gulf could impact gas prices significantly.”
Particularly, if those storms form into a category three or stronger and head to areas down in Louisiana and Texas, that’s when South Carolina residents could expect impacted gas prices. Since the largest refineries are located in the Gulf, storms that form and move solely along the Atlantic Coast typically don’t cause a surge in gas prices, De Haan noted.
“Mother Nature is very unpredictable,” he said. “The impact on gas prices is all dependent on the significance of the storm.”
How to prepare for gas price changes during hurricane season
While South Carolina often keeps a close watch on the Atlantic activity, De Haan says that the best way to anticipate any price changes is to stay informed on all storms.
“Keep an eye on weather reports and if there is any major hurricane heading for an area of the Gulf,” he said.
Other tips to keep in mind for your tank when preparing for any impact from a hurricane include:
- Fill your tank in advance.
- Find gas quickly if evacuating.
- Check oil, tire, fluids, and get your vehicle serviced.
- Make sure you have a spare tire.
- Have an extra airtight container of gasoline stored in a cool-dry place.
- Keep communications charged, have extra batteries and battery packs.
