Effects of Tropical Storm Isaac Can Hit Iowa City

It may be unusual to think of Iowa City as being affected by the impact of Tropical Storm Iowa, but even Iowa may meet some of the effects of the storm that is heading right for the southeast United States this week.

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According to the Iowa City Patch website, gas prices could go up about 25 cents per gallon within a week as a result of Tropical Storm Isaac that is predicted to reach the southeast United States.

Tropical Storm Isaac is currently hitting the Gulf of Mexico and headed for the coast of the United States. When it hits, it could shut down offshore oil rigs, according to AAA, leading to a spike in gas prices.

The tropical storm is expected to turn into a hurricane by Tuesday and hit an area from New Orleans to the edge of Florida, just seven years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city. Winds should be about 74 to 95 miles per hour, according to predictions by The National Hurricane Center. It should be a category 1 hurricane when it hits.

The gas prices with the hike could reach $4 per gallon - an amount that is often dreaded by the consumer. The gas price hike is expected to be just in time for Labor Day weekend.

There is an upside to this, though. When the storm passes, if the oil rigs make it through without much damage, gas prices should drop quickly. They can possibly drop even lower than they were before the storm.

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