Gas shortage making it difficult for snow plows

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- There are gas shortages across that state that may cause problems for snow plows.

"There is a lot of places that don't have gas. Mostly West Hartford is out," said Mike Sitaro of West Hartford.

Mike Lowers his blade one more time, puts the petal to the metal and plays tug of war with the wind. Mother nature pushes the snow back onto the lot faster than he can remove it. All the while his tank get's lower with no where near to fill up.

"It's pretty bad, yeah, you might even have to go out to the Berlin Turnpike. That's probably the only place that probably has any," said Sitaro.

"And it's not really fuel efficient the way you're plowing," asked News 8's Bob Wilson.

"Not at all, not at all. Back and forth, back and forth doesn't really pay off but it works out in the end," said Sitaro.

In West Hartford alone, News 8 found 4 gas stations without gas and another one that had just high test. One Shell Station ran out even before the first flakes began to fall. Sitaro says he's worried about how long the gas will last, when he will have to go to his reserves and how long that will last.

"Well we have gas tanks in the shop but do you really want to use it or do you wanna use it for the snow blowers when it comes down to sidewalk time, you know, so we're just gonna have to deal with it," said Sitaro.

He'll be going 24/7 with the wind and the snow totals the only thing that is going to stop him from plowing his dozens of lots is looking for gas.

"I'm trying to watch it to the end until about a quarter and then i'll start fishing for it. These people here are telling me that they're not getting any trucks or anything until after the storm and that could be til Sunday," said Sitaro.