Blank signs and black plastic bags on pumps are symptoms of the gas shortage are all over Chattanooga. Walter Walton tried to gas up Monday morning. "It's terrible, but it's just a fact of life," he said about the empty station in St. Elmo. Gas stations all over the southeast are running on empty. According to operator Colonial Pipeline, there's just no supply for the southeast right now. So gas stations have to wait, but for how long? Robbie Watkins works at the BP on Tennessee Avenue. "That's the scary part, we don't really know," she said of when the next delivery would be in. Martha Lovelady tried to fill up on her way to Maryland. "So It tried to fill it and it did start for a moment gave me 15 cents and then it clicked off and when I tried it again it didn't work." Even though she had half a tank she didn't want to run the risk of running out where the tanks are empty. Some say this need to fill up before getting close to the "E" contributes to the shortage. "Yeah, that's what's adding to the crunch. We need to stop panicking. Whenever you need gas, get gas," Walton explained. Steve Christian agrees. "I think that people who get a little panicky will top off. Yes, I certainly do." The manager of this Exxon on Fourth Avenue says people call ahead of time to see if there is gas. When stations do have gas- expect long lines. "We sold over $16,000 worth of gas in one day," added Watkins. Don't expect all the grades at most stations either. If your car runs on premium you still may be out of luck.
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