Sandy's Gas Shortage Fuels Panic, Tempers

Some gas stations in New York and New Jersey are still without power, while others have gone dry, prompting panic among residents looking to fuel their cars and backup generators until things return to normal, reports Reuters. At least half of all service stations in NYC can't sell gas, and that figure could rise to 75%, says one expert. Some taxi companies have been forced to pull fleets off the road as a result.

In Jersey, tempers are running high at the few stations that are in service. One analyst says even people who don't plan to drive "still panic and go and fill up the tank—it exacerbates the problem," reports Newsday. Police responded to eight separate scuffles at gas stations in the town of Bloomfield alone, reports NJ.com. (More Hurricane Sandy stories.)