CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Though damage to oil refineries in the Gulf Coast was minimal from Hurricane Ike, high gasoline prices are still plaguing the Charlotte area. Monday morning, many gas stations were still without fuel.

According to AAA, the price of regular unleaded gasoline at some stations jumped $.50 since Friday. At a Shell station, the price went from $3.89 to $4.39. However, drivers should be aware that prices listed on signs may not be completely accurate. The price listed is usually for regular unleaded, however, many stations have run out of regular and only have mid-grade or premium gasoline left.

Rod Holmes, a customer representative for a Circle K station on Church Road, said all the Circle K stores in the area are out of gas. He said he spoke with the manager, who said it could be up to a week before a new gasoline shipment arrives.

“They were saying that there was actually no gas to be found and blamed the gas stations,” Holmes said. “I guess the oil distributor or whoever is charging too much for a gallon for it to be a profit for them to drive it back.”

Holmes said it is too early to tell how much in profits the company is losing because they cannot pump out any gas.