PHOTOS: Colonial Pipeline hack causes gas shortages in Southeast

Nation & World News

A cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline has caused long lines and dry gas station pumps due to transportation delays throughout the Southeastern United States.

This Quik Trip at the Mall of Georgia was out of gas on Tuesday. Image Tim Darnell AJC

Long lines were seen outside the Brookhaven Costco on Tuesday. Image Tim Darnell AJC

May 12, 2021 Decatur - Customers wait their turn to fill up at Kroger Fuel Center in Decatur on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Throughout metro Atlanta, since Tuesday, many drivers are reporting empty pumps or higher prices with long lines, limited grades and spending caps. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

May 12, 2021 DeKalb County: Mirweis Jalalzai moved here from Afghanistan 5-years ago and never saw his former countryÕs gas stations run out of gas before. Lines formed at the QuikTrip located at Briarcliff Road and North Druid Hills on Wednesday morning, May 12, 2021 as gas continued to flow at the station there until Noon and then ran out. Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order that will suspend the stateÕs gas tax through Saturday after the shutdown of Colonial PipelineÕs network led to a rise in fuel prices and shortages in some parts of Georgia. The supply strain is a result of the recent cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, which operates the biggest gas pipeline on the East Coast. Colonial, headquartered in Alpharetta, said it plans to ÒsubstantiallyÓ restore services by the end of the week. Federal and state officials took steps, such as waiving some fuel requirements, to address the shortages. Gov. Brian Kemp temporarily suspended the state gas tax. The spike in gas prices on Tuesday indicated that consumers were emptying pumps due to worries about the pipeline, said Montrae Waiters, a spokeswoman for AAA. The average price in metro Atlanta jumped from $2.76 per gallon on Monday to $2.87 on Tuesday. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

May 12, 2021 DeKalb County: The QuikTrip on the corner of North Cliff Valley way and Buford Highway was out of gas on Wednesday morning, May 12, 2021 with all their gasoline pumps bagged. Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order that will suspend the state’s gas tax through Saturday after the shutdown of Colonial Pipeline’s network led to a rise in fuel prices and shortages in some parts of Georgia. The supply strain is a result of the recent cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, which operates the biggest gas pipeline on the East Coast. Colonial, headquartered in Alpharetta, said it plans to “substantially” restore services by the end of the week. Federal and state officials took steps, such as waiving some fuel requirements, to address the shortages. Gov. Brian Kemp temporarily suspended the state gas tax. The spike in gas prices on Tuesday indicated that consumers were emptying pumps due to worries about the pipeline, said Montrae Waiters, a spokeswoman for AAA. The average price in metro Atlanta jumped from $2.76 per gallon on Monday to $2.87 on Tuesday. (John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com)

The Speedy Mart in Beulaville, N.C., was out of gasoline Tuesday, May 11, 2021. As the shutdown of a major fuel pipeline entered into its fifth day, efforts are under way to stave off potential fuel shortages, though no widespread disruptions were evident. The Colonial Pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast, was hit by a cyberattack on Friday. (Ethan Hyman

A Murrphy Oil gas station shows no gas on pumps, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Kennesaw, Ga. Colonial Pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast, halted operations last week after revealing a cyberattack that it said had affected some of its systems.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

1/8

This Quik Trip at the Mall of Georgia was out of gas on Tuesday. Image Tim Darnell AJC

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah

PHOTOS: Murphy Crossing renderings 2026

Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic in an NBA game

PHOTOS: Magic night as Hawks continue winning streak

PHOTOS: 2026 Oscars red-carpet — celebrity fashion and trends before the 98th Academy Awards ceremony

More Galleries

Photos: North Paulding girls defeat Grayson for a 6A basketball state championship

Photos: Wheeler defeats Pebblebook to claim 2026 state championship

The crowd in front of Fadó Irish Pub cheers as the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade makes its way down Peachtree Street on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 2026 St. Patrick’s Parade in Midtown Atlanta

Alerts