Terry Richards | The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Gas prices in Valdosta surged last week thanks to two hurricanes, pipeline woes and panic buying.

Sunday’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the city was $2.71, up 17 cents from the previous week, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Prices had already been on the upswing thanks to Hurricane Harvey closing down a significant amount of America’s refinery capacity in Texas when Hurricane Irma stormed into view, packing Interstate 75 with Florida residents fleeing north. Harvey also forced the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which delivers much of Georgia’s gasoline.

Gasoline was harder to find in Valdosta during the weekend, with pumps running dry in many locations.

The highest price reported in Valdosta Sunday was $2.72 at two locations, on West Hill Avenue and Cat Creek Road, while the lowest reported was $2.59 at a Norman Drive retailer, according to the price-tracking website gasbuddy.com.

Gas retailers in Lowndes County have been operating under anti-price gouging regulations put forth in both state and local emergency decrees.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline was $2.67 a gallon, up five cents from seven days earlier, while Georgia’s average of $2.75 was six cents higher during the same period, according to the auto club.

In Friday market action, energy companies fell as benchmark U.S. crude skidded $1.61, or 3.3 percent, to $47.48 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, lost 71 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $53.78 a barrel in London.

Wholesale gasoline declined a cent to $1.65 a gallon. Heating oil fell 2 cents to $1.77 a gallon. Natural gas sank 9 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $2.89 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.