Many people are scrambling to get gas as they prepare for Idalia, but a dozen local gas stations are still recovering from widespread fuel contamination.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has identified potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa.
Fuel purchased after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, at stations supplied by Citgo from the Port of Tampa is likely to be contaminated.
Citgo released a list of affected gas stations in SWFL:
- 7-Eleven: 4325 Lee Boulevard, Lehigh Acres
- 7-Eleven: 12750 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers
- 7-Eleven: 720 Chiquita Boulevard, North Cape Coral
- 7-Eleven: 2604 Skyline Boulevard, Cape Coral
- 7-Eleven: 1626 Meadow Road, Lehigh Acres
- 7-Eleven: 601 Pine Island Rd. S.W., Cape Coral
- 7-Eleven: 714 Burnt Store Road, Cape Coral
- BJ’s Wholesale: 1929 Pine Island Road N.E., Cape Coral
- BJ’s Wholesale: 9372 Ben C Pratt Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Fort Myers
- Handy Foods Store #86: 21321 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva
- Handy Foods Store #87: 3205 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres
- Superday CITGO: 1595 South McCall Road, Port Charlotte
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services warns that if you purchased gas from affected stations after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, your vehicles or generators may malfunction.
Cody Dinwiddie is a mechanic at Fast Oil and Lube on Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral. He fueled his car at BJ’s Wholesale on Pine Island Road Saturday evening and immediately thought something was wrong.
“When I left I noticed my car was feeling a little sluggish. I had to really push on the gas pedal to get home and as soon as I got home, it quits. I didn’t want to run. It was smoking out of the exhaust pipe. I could smell the diesel fuel,” said Dinwiddie.
Dinwiddie said don’t take any chances. If you got gas from one of the affected stations, stop driving your car. He suggests calling a local auto shop and getting it towed. The shop will then empty and replace your tank for you.
FDACS has opened its consumer hotline for complaints regarding contaminated gasoline. To file a complaint, call 1-800-HELP-FLA or visit here.
FDEM is collaborating with petroleum retailers, ports, and other relevant parties to ensure that fuel is readily available without disruptions. Following the Governor’s orders, FDEM has removed size, weight, and hour restrictions to facilitate the quick and efficient delivery of resources.
For a fuel list of all affected gas stations in Florida, click here.