TRACKING MICHAEL: Gas prices, supply should be OK if Hurricane Michael stays on current path

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hurricane Michael is bearing down on the Gulf, and that's where the Charlotte area gets most of its gasoline.

Experts said to not worry about a gas shortage or higher prices, yet.

[LIVE UPDATES: Storm-weary Carolinas brace for 'monstrous' Hurricane Michael]

AAA and GasBuddy told Action 9 if the storm stays on the current path, it would go far enough east and not impact the Carolinas' gas flow.

"Refineries, there are none in harm's way directly, so there should be no slowdown in gasoline production as a result of Hurricane Michael," GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan said.

However, it could mean bad news for the Carolinas if the hurricane’s path shifts more west.

"I care. I'm on a fixed on a fixed income, and I drive a lot," said Barbara Phillips, a Charlotte driver. "That's God's act. So, we can't help that much."

Oil companies in the Gulf are taking precautions.

Action 9 was told some companies stopped about one-fifth of their oil production, evacuated workers from more than a dozen locations and moved five rigs farther away from the hurricane's path.

The price of crude oil has been going up, which is not weather-related. It is at its highest level in four years at $75 a barrel.

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