Governor: Fuel shortage only 'temporary'

In a statement released Wednesday, the governor said oil companies are aware of the gas shortage in the Southeast and are working to transfer fuel into North Carolina.

"We are getting tankers from Wilmington, Tennessee and South Carolina terminals to bring hundreds of thousands of gallons of gas to those most in need," Easley said.

Easley said pipelines that were damaged during Hurricane Ike are being refilled. But fuel has not been flowing as fast as it normally does. Easley said he expects the situation to improve over the next day.

While the governor said the shortage is temporary, he's urging motorists to take "common sense" steps to conserve fuel by cutting down on travel, and carpooling when possible.