Local Gas Prices Could Take Hit From Harvey

BOSTON, MA — Bay State gas prices are up two cents from last week, and a couple of factors could lead to another spike. The upcoming Labor Day weekend - the last major travel weekend of the summer - and Tropical Storm Harvey's assault near the Gulf of Mexico, could combine to boost gas prices even more.

Your average gallon of self-serve unleaded is going for $2.26, AAA reported Monday. That's still far better than the national average of $2.37. But it's much worse than the average price of gas last year at this time, which was $2.11 per gallon. AAA reported Massachusetts gas prices range from $2.11 to $2.39 per gallon.

AAA Northeast said local prices could be subject to "additional upward pressure" with multiple factors playing a role.

You can check your local gas prices in real-time right here at gasbuddy.com. Just enter your zip code or city/town name.

While the four-cent spike in national gas prices is the largest one-week surge of the summer, AAA said gas prices have remained "relatively stable" since Friday. That's when Harvey hit land in Texas, dumping historic amounts of rain in the region.

As Texas and Louisiana deal with flooding and more rain from Harvey, one-quarter of the oil refining capacity in the Gulf Coast had been taken offline, AAA said, citing forecasts by Oil Price Information Service. Some refineries have sustained damage during the storm and companies are working to assess what is necessary before resuming operations.

"No doubt, Harvey has impacted operations and access to refineries in the Gulf Coast. However a clear understanding of overall damage at the refineries is unknown," Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson, said in a statement. "Despite the country's overall oil and gasoline inventories being at or above 5-year highs, until there is clear picture of damage and an idea when refineries can return to full operational status, gas prices will continue to increase."

Reporting from Colin A. Young, State House News Service, was used in this report.

Photo caption: Rescue boats fill a flooded street at flood victims are evacuated as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Monday in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)