With Irma, Harvey long gone, gas prices dropping in York, Lancaster, Chester

Gas demand is expected to begin “drastically” declining by the end of September, leading some to believe prices could fall to below $2 a gallon by Christmas.

Although Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are long gone, South Carolina is yet to feel much relief at the pump. According to AAA Carolinas, the current average for gas in South Carolina’s is $2.51 – 4 cents less than a week ago.

That price is still 45 cents more than the days before Harvey. In North Carolina, the statewide average is $2.60, 4 cents less than a week ago.

“Unfortunately gas prices don’t drop as quickly as they spike,” said Tiffany Wright, a spokesperson with AAA Carolinas. “The good news is that we expect prices will continue their downward trend in the next several weeks, as areas affected by Irma and Harvey recover and we continue to see positive progress with refineries, pipelines and gas deliveries.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a total of six Gulf Coast refineries are operating at reduced rates. The six facilities make up 13 percent of refining capacity in the nation.

Wright said it will likely be a few more weeks before the regions affected by Irma and Harvey are back to normal for operations.

“Gas demand should drastically decline across the Carolinas by the end of September, as the Labor Day holiday signaled the end of the summer driving season,” Wright said. “The hope is that we could get to under the two-dollar mark by Christmas.”

Hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.

This story was originally published September 18, 2017 at 3:44 PM with the headline "With Irma, Harvey long gone, gas prices dropping in York, Lancaster, Chester."