Tropical Storm Isaac Could Cause 25-Cent Increase in Iowa City Gas Prices

Iowa gas prices are expected to rise 25 cents a gallon by this time next week. Just in time for that Labor Day trip you were planning.

Officials from AAA have said that Tropical Storm Issac, which is currently ripping across the Gulf of Mexico, will shut down offshore oil rigs.

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.

A glance at the gas prices in Iowa City has the lowest price per gallon for regular gasoline at $3.59 at the T and M Minimart, 2601 Highway 6 East. A 25 cent increase would bring this close to the dreaded $4 per gallon gas amount.

Tropical Storm Isaac targeted a broad swath of the Gulf Coast today, bearing down on New Orleans 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. 

In one bit of good news, this expert says that if the oil rigs make it through the storm unscathed, prices should drop down quickly after the storm leaves.