Gas prices surge in New York area in wake of Harvey

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Just as families head out for the unofficial last weekend of summer, they'll see the ripple effect of Hurricane Harvey in rising gas prices.

Gas prices surged overnight as AAA reported the national average jumped seven cents to $2.51 per gallon, the highest price of the year and 16 cents higher than a week ago.

The gas hike will impact stops along the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, raising prices by more than 20 cents.

That's after Harvey crippled more than 20 percent of the nation's oil refining capacity and shut down 15 Gulf Coast refineries.

The average price in New York City is up 13 cents from a week ago to $2.73, a high for the year.

Prices in Nassau and Suffolk counties are 14 cents higher than last week, at an average of $2.56.

Check your local gas prices here: https://www.gasbuddy.com/

But there is some good news for drivers.

"This should be very short-lived. There is lots of gas and crude oil around in what we call inventories, fuel and storage," said Robert Sinclair,Jr. of AAA. "We are at historic highs. You just have to get that product from where it's stored to market, and that is going to happen."

Analysts predict this price spike will last just a couple of weeks.