Gainesville residents flocked to gas stations Thursday night based on rapidly spreading rumors that gas prices would skyrocket Friday.
The fears were based on Hurricane Ike, which caused several Texas oil refineries to halt operation Thursday night. How long the refineries remain closed will determine how much fuel prices increase.
Wholesale gas prices rose $1 Thursday in anticipation of the hurricane.
At the Kangaroo Express on Southwest 13th Street at 11 p.m. Thursday, crowds of people pumped gas into their cars.
"Someone told me that gas is being raised a dollar this weekend," said Jenna Rocklein, a UF sophomore, as she filled her Toyota Camry.
Notes taped on every gas pump told customers that purchases were limited to 10 gallons.
"I'm scared that this may be a scam," Rocklein said.
Others were unperturbed.
"That doesn't bother me too much," UF statistics junior Nadia Vaughan said as she pumped gas into her Chevy Lumina. "Ten gallons is a whole tank for most cars."
Some students said they worried the price would go up in other areas as well.
"It bothers me because everything is so expensive already," said UF freshman Abbey Palmer, who owns a Jeep Grand Cherokee. "I'm trying not to think about gas at home."
Palmer said she lives in Key West.
Most said they were trying to be safe.
"Everyone should have a full tank of gas during the hurricane season," said UF economics junior Lauren Colclasure as she loaded her Mazda Tribute.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
