Hurricane Harvey cripples Texas refineries, causes gas prices to rise in Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gas prices in the Orlando area have risen 19 cents per gallon in the past week after Hurricane Harvey inundated the Texas coast with a record amount of rain and crippled numerous oil refineries.

At an average of $2.48 per gallon, gas prices are the highest since August 2014.

With millions of drivers taking to the roads for the Labor Day weekend, prices could jump even higher, experts say.

According to AAA, gas prices could jump as much as 30 cents per gallon due to Hurricane Harvey.

“After they check the refineries, so far there’s minimal or no damage to several, as they get back online, we should see prices begin to taper off a little bit,” AAA spokesman Michael Cullen said. “By the end of the month, we should have some relief.”

Cox Media Group