Weather-Proofing Your Fuel Supply: Lessons from Past Storms

As hurricane season approaches, securing a reliable fuel supply becomes essential for businesses that depend on continuous operations. Every year, major storms remind us how easily supply chains can be disrupted. Fuel — critical for fleets, backup generators, and emergency operations, must be protected ahead of time to avoid costly downtime when it matters most.

The impacts of past storms provide valuable lessons for businesses preparing today. One of the most important examples is the need to build resilience not just in physical infrastructure, but also in supplier relationships and operational flexibility. Geographic concentration of production, limited supply chain visibility, and reactive crisis management have repeatedly proven to be major weaknesses. Even businesses that have not been directly impacted by a storm should study previous events to understand how cascading failures — in power grids, transportation, supply chains, and logistics — can combine to create prolonged disruptions.

How Hurricanes Disrupt Fuel Supply Chains

History shows that the threat is very real. According to Reuters, hurricanes have repeatedly forced U.S. oil refiners to shut in millions of barrels of capacity, causing gasoline and diesel prices to spike across the country. In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita disrupted 5.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of refining capacity — about a third of U.S. production at the time — leading to a sudden 46-cent surge in retail gasoline prices. In 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike together knocked out up to 4 million bpd of capacity, once again driving up prices and tightening supply. Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, flooded much of the Texas refining sector, cutting off nearly 4.4 million bpd, and pushing prices higher for weeks.

The 2024 hurricane season offered further confirmation that businesses can no longer view extreme weather as a rare event. With 18 named storms, including seven tropical storms and 11 hurricanes (four of which were major: Beryl, Helene, Milton, and Rafael), the season caused widespread damage across Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeast:

• Beryl (July 2024): Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, caused over $7 billion in property damage across its path in the United States. The Texas Department of Emergency Management reported that Beryl destroyed 239 buildings and damaged 2,555 others in Texas. Additionally, nearly 3 million people lost power due to the storm, with 2.7 million of those affected in southeastern Texas.
• Helene (Sept 2024): Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, struck the Florida Big Bend region, causing extensive inland flooding, extreme winds, storm surge, and tornadoes across the southeastern U.S. and southern Appalachians. The storm caused an estimated $78.7 billion in damages, making it the 7th costliest U.S. storm. The most significant damages occurred in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. Approximately 16.2 million people lost power between September 26–28.
• Milton (Oct 2024): Hurricane Milton, one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic basin, reached Category 5 intensity. It followed an unusual eastward track across the Gulf of America before making landfall on Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm caused significant damage in the Sarasota and Tampa Bay areas. NOAA estimated Milton caused $34.3 billion in damage, nearly all of it in Florida.
• Francine (Sept 2024): Francine, a Category 2 storm, made landfall in southeastern Louisiana, causing significant flash flooding, wind, and storm surge impacts across parts of the southern United States. The storm was responsible for over $1 billion in damage in the U.S.
• *Rafael (Nov 2024): Although Hurricane Rafael did not make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast, it brought rip currents, rain, and gusty winds to the Florida Keys, causing flooding, downed tree limbs, and brief power outages. The storm also triggered flooding in Louisiana and Texas, as well as severe flooding in Georgia and South Carolina, where 12 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours.

According to the EIA, Hurricane Beryl caused a disruption at a Galveston Bay refinery, leading to a brief power outage and subsequent flaring at the 631,000 bpd facility.

Tropical Storm Francine, and Hurricanes Rafael and Helene triggered power outages and disrupted fuel supply chains even though their paths missed the most prolific oil and gas production zones

What to do?

If your business is located in a hurricane-prone region, preparation is key. Forecasters, including those at Colorado State University, are predicting a busier than usual hurricane season, with an estimated 12 to 19 named storms and 5 to 9 hurricanes. NOAA will release its official forecast in late May, but it’s crucial to start preparing now. Here are some ways to ensure you’re ready:

• Create an Emergency Plan – Have a plan to minimize the risk of business disruptions. It should include temporary storage tanks, dedicated fuel supply trucks and priority/emergency supply, and proactive tank and generator maintenance – in case a storm hit.
• Follow Official Weather Updates – The National Hurricane Center and local meteorologists provide real-time forecasts and alerts.
• Use Weather Apps & Alerts – Download weather tracking apps that provide emergency notifications.
• Prepare a Hurricane Kit – Stock up on essentials like water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.
• Stay Connected – Follow emergency management agencies on social media for up-to-date guidance.

Preparing your fuel supply is not simply about minimizing inconvenience; it is about protecting your business’s ability to serve customers, maintain critical operations, and recover quickly. With proper planning, you can stay ahead of disruptions, ensure continuity through the most challenging days, and emerge stronger in an increasingly unpredictable scenario.

 Not sure how to implement your Emergency Plan? Talk to the experts!

Mansfield, North America’s leading fuel distributor, brings a wealth of expertise to creating a robust emergency response program tailored to your company’s needs. With an extensive network servicing the US and Canada, Mansfield understands the critical importance of proactive measures in facing potential disruptions caused by hurricanes or other natural disasters.

Leveraging in-depth knowledge, Mansfield has developed a comprehensive Emergency Response Fuel Program that prescribes industry best practices. Mansfield’s program enables a multi-faceted approach, prioritizing essential services and collaborating closely with partners to ensure seamless fuel distribution during emergencies. Contact us today!