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Tropical Storm Isaac could bring higher gas prices to Carolinas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Storm Isaac is bearing down on the Gulf Coast, and the impact of the storm will likely be felt in the Carolinas over the next few days.

"The hurricane is definitely going to cause an increase in prices here,” Tom Crosby with AAA said.

Coming off a month that saw gas prices jump an average of 25 cents in Charlotte, it's not the news drivers like Kevin Caldwell want to hear.

"It's one of those things. You're going to have to have it, regardless. I mean, there's really not much we can do about it down here," Caldwell said.

As the Gulf Coast braces for the impact of Isaac, some oil rigs have already been evacuated, halting production and diminishing supply.

"That means there will be a shortage in crude oil supplies for the refineries that basically ship gasoline to us in North and South Carolina," Crosby said.

Crosby said about 90 percent of the gas used in the Carolinas comes from Gulf Coast oil.

Crosby said it's hard to tell how high prices will go or for how long.

"If the refineries get flooded, that will delay a comeback. So it all depends how strong the storm is and how well it can be handled," he said.

Eyewitness News stopped by a Shell station on Albemarle Road. The owner said he already received a call from his supplier telling him prices would be going up Tuesday.