As residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia’s arrival and life-threatening effects, state officials report gas distributed from the Port of Tampa has been contaminated, possibly affecting drivers in Southwest Florida.
Over the weekend, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) officials learned of fuel contamination at gas stations serviced by the Port of Tampa.
“FDACS has identified potentially widespread fuel contamination caused by human error at the Port of Tampa,” the government agency said in a statement. “Any fuel purchased after 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, at a Citgo-supplied station from the Port of Tampa has a high probability of being contaminated with diesel fuel.”
Any motorist who thinks they bought contaminated gasoline can file a complaint by calling the FDACS consumer hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA.
During a press conference Sunday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the contamination was “human error,” saying “They put diesel in a tank that should have been regular gas.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis said “they’re putting diesel in tanks that should be regular gas.” Getty Images
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the pollution issue was discovered through heavy inspections by the state Department of Transportation because diesel is heavier than gasoline.
Simpson said gas stations on the delivery manifest were notified within an hour of possible contamination.
Of the 29 gas stations where fuel was delivered, Florida Department of Agriculture agents inspected three. Two tested positive for contamination.
“We are working with the team to remove the fuel and replace it with clean fuel. At the end of the day, we hope to have all those gas stations identified, which fuel, which can be opened and where we’re going to work on it,” Simpson said.
DeSantis urged Floridians not to wait until the last minute to prepare for Idalia or make evacuation plans.
“All Floridians. You need to implement your plan now. I mean, this storm is scheduled to come through probably early Wednesday,” DeSantis said, adding “You’re on the homestretch here.”
Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner said the pollution issue was discovered through heavy inspections by the state Department of Transportation. Getty Images
Idalia is undergoing rapid intensification and is forecast to become a hurricane by the time it makes landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
More than half of Florida’s counties are under a state of emergency with Idalia’s impending arrival with landfall expected along the Gulf Coast on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center has begun issuing Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches and Hurricane Watches and Warnings.
Impacts, including life-threatening storm surge, rain and hurricane-force winds will begin to arrive on Tuesday.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
