As Hurricane Ike approached the Gulf, and refineries shut down, I guessed that gas prices would rise, but as I heard reports of $5.00 for a gallon of gas, long lines, and shortages even before the storm hit, I was taken aback by how rapidly the situation descended into panic.

…Oh, and I needed to buy gas. I plan poorly too.

Here are some takes on gas around the Lowcountry.

Eric shares how things got started.

It didn’t start with much here in Charleston. A few local gas stations posted signs asking customers to limit fuel purchases to 10 gallons.But it started a short-lived panic Thursday, with talk of $5 gas by late afternoon.

The rationale sounded good, anyway. Fuel suppliers were watching as Hurricane Ike hunted for a spot along the Texas coast to hit, and some refineries shut down in anticipation. Offshore rigs were hanging out in the Gulf with all kinds of potential for damage, and things were just plain uncertain.

It’s when times are uncertain that rumors really grow legs. In this case, word went out via phone calls, text messages, email, and mouth to ear.

Janet notes how rumors can send us into a frenzy.

When Larry first saw photos of $5/gal gas, he thought it was a hoax.

Who’s profiting from all of this?

Steve says it’s the wholesalers.

By and large, there’s actually no profit in selling gasoline. Believe it or not, gas stations don’t make their profits on the gas itself. They make their money overcharging you for chips and soda. There’s on average less than 10 cents per gallon profit in fuel sales. And since most of us pay with credit cards, the card processing fees eat into that by a good 50% too. Really, we can’t blame the bulk of gas stations for the exorbitant pricing. Their prices just reflect about a ten cent profit on top of taxes and the raw cost of the fuel from pirates in the wholesale end of it. Wholesalers will blame everything and anything…for a reason to spike the costs up.

JT explains that gas stations set prices based on their future costs.

No matter who’s to blame or profiting, prices are up, and there are shortages.

The Cosmopolitan Charlestonian took at look at gas prices while walking about downtown.

Chip questions the wisdom of driving around to find the best gas prices during a temporary shortage.

Even though the NFL season officially started Thursday, today is the first Sunday for the 2008/2009 NFL season.  With Tom Brady possibly out of the year, the Colts losing to the Bears in Indy, and the Panthers slipping by the Chargers, this season is already full of intrigue.

Jared is questioning the Chargers practice of sitting their starters through the preseason.

Heartless Gamer isn’t impressed with the coaching skills of the Jet’s Eric Mangini.

During halftime, Dan tweeted about the Bears leading the Colts. Is the Apocalypse Watch on?

Of course, NFL Football isn’t the only thing going on with Lowcountry Bloggers and Tweeters.

Pam shares some gorgeous photos of a botanical garden is Australia.

There’s an interesting question of the day at the Shadow of Diogenes.

What domestic secrets would you tell? I suppose I really should unload the dishwasher.

Hello Bloggers and Tweeters, I’m Vera of Vera’s Crafty Blog, and here are some of the things we’re talking about.

Hanna brought the rain, but not the wind to the Lowcountry, and according to former resident, Brian Goode, Hurricane Ike won’t threaten the Carolinas.

Now eyes are on IKE. The good news for SC here…is it likely will not turn N/NW and curve toward the SE. This very well could be a Gulf of Mexico storm. How strong will be determined on whether or not it hits Cuba.

Hanna may have also scared some people away. I noticed that there were fewer people downtown on King Street yesterday, and attributed it Hanna, Jared noted the same.

What happened to the Storm Formerly Known as Josephine?  Could she become a he?

Firefighter Hourly expects a good candidate to emerge as Charleston’s next Fire Chief.

What is expected is a very sound chief to emerge from the pack. While most people have been concentrating on assistant and deputy chief officers the focus should be on other Fire Chiefs who already have experience in the top position. This doesn’t rule out a lower ranking officer.

Wicked Winter has a take on DogTown, where trainers are rehabilitating some of the dogs formerly owned by Michael Vick.

How well could you eat for $21 per week?  Thar’s what the average Food Stamp receipt receives. Milehimama and her family are going to try for Food Stamp Challenge Week which begins today.

Chris shares some of his favorite quotes

Mike and the gnome are enjoying Kentucky Football.

Here’s how Jeff would improve baseball.

Tea as a Necessary Luxury.

Fashion and spiders and wild horses, oh my!