Transporting Gasoline on Hurricane Chases

[Greg Higgins]

At this late hour I unfortunately don't have all of the resources available but in short:
1)gasoline fumes over time WILL degradated the plastic garbage can liners, thick plastic bags, etc.
2)gasoline fumes, as well as being FLAMMABLE, also carry a HIGH incidence of health hazards from short term health effects to death. Take your choice. BTW, if the fumes affect you during driving and you have a wreck causing injury to your passengers or others, YOU will be charged with manslaughter or worse.
3) gasoline is listed as a FLAMMABLE substance and carries numerous safety and legal violations if improperly stored or transported. Check your local (and if your chasing across state lines, then the state your are in) states motor vehicle laws. MOST states PROHIBIT the transport of gasoline INSIDE a vehicle for health and safety reasons.
4) the flip side for those who could care less about health and safety issues is that during an event such as a hurricane, law enforcement probably has their hands full with higher priorities than someone stupid enough to injure themselves and others by unwisely storing / transporting gasoline for personal use. Let he ME's office make the ruling.
5) Placing gasoline, no matter the amount in a hotel / motel (inside) will get you arrested IF someone complains. If a fire occurs and YOUR gas can be linked to the cause, you might even be looking at murder charges.

All something to think about. Gas is something that we all need to consider in these type of events and there are safe methods to store and transport. Please think about others around you and the responders you might involve. The simplest method is not always the most prudent.

Greg Higgins

 

[Joshua Nall]

I have yet to take my own vehicle for a hurricane chase, but i've considered this problem as well. I have a pickup truck, but i'm still concerned about storing cans in the bed due to direct sunlight and heat before/after the storm. Is this safe?

Direct sunlight/heat equals internal pressure. Or if they are vented (which most are not with the caps on) they will just release a lot of fumes. I carry diesel for my truck in the bed or in the tool box on chases, but I leave gasoline in the bed all the time in 100 degree heat, direct sunlight all day with no problems. The containers will just have a lot of internal pressure. Don't make a spark when you open them up psssssshhhh kaboom!

 

[Jason Moreland]

Direct sunlight/heat equals internal pressure. Or if they are vented (which most are not with the caps on) they will just release a lot of fumes. I carry diesel for my truck in the bed or in the tool box on chases, but I leave gasoline in the bed all the time in 100 degree heat, direct sunlight all day with no problems. The containers will just have a lot of internal pressure. Don't make a spark when you open them up psssssshhhh kaboom!

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Stuart Wilson]

Great thread this.

Not likely to ever need to chase or runaway from Hurricanes here in Blighty, but with my engineering hat on here are a few thoughts:-

1) Petrol vapour is heavier than air. So if you are putting a container in the back of your truck and there is any venting whatsoever be very careful - I'd be wanting to make sure there were paths for the vapour to spill out (strategically placed holes/vents).

2) Petrol + air = a very effective bomb. I wouldn't want to keep that inside a vehicle with me in the way some have suggested (wrapping a bag around the container).

3) As others have alluded to it's highly likely that transporting and storing petrol will be illegal in many states (unless certain special containers/permits are obtained) - this will of course mean that your insurance could be invalidated (even if the petrol isn't involved in the incident).

My advice would be that if you are a serious hurricane chaser and you know you'll run out of petrol then use a vehicle that is specifically designed for the task (carrying more petrol) and or modify the vehicle to have a larger fuel tank.

Petrol is a seriously nasty substance, packed with energy and positively delights in igniting. Don't mess with it!

PS Sorry about using the term petrol, I forgot your side of the pond it's called gas!

Anyhow, here's hoping you get a few hurricanes to chase before the end of the season, and stay safe.

 

[MClarkson]

hahaha... Ivan in AL wasnt too bad, but Vero Beach for Jeanne and Frances a few hundred miles south is just too hot and humid to chase hurricanes in style without AC!!! 25C/25C temp/dewpoint in the middle of the night==AC!