Isaac Expected to Increase SLP Gas Prices

Experts predict that Tropical Storm Isaac, which is currently ripping across the Gulf of Mexico, will shut down refineries and offshore oilrigs, causing gas prices to climb in St. Louis Park and elsewhere.

While estimated increases aren’t available for Minnesota, per gallon. Meanwhile, USA Today predicts that prices could climb 10 cents per gallon depending on the severity of the storm, which could close as many as a dozen refineries.

The National Hurricane Center has predicted that the tropical storm will become a hurricane on Tuesday with 74 to 95 mph winds. It is expected to hit from an area southwest of New Orleans to the edge of Florida's panhandle.

The cheapest gas available in St. Louis Park as of Tuesday morning is $3.64 per gallon at the Minnetonka Boulevard and Mobil stations.

Tropical Storm Isaac targeted a broad swath of the Gulf Coast on Monday, bearing down just ahead of the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

The potential for a landfall as a Category 1 hurricane as soon as Tuesday prompted evacuations along a wide area of the Gulf Coast and sent people out to stock up on staples.

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