Shortly after the terrorist attacks on the East Coast Tuesday, area gasoline prices skyrocketed as motorists swarmed gas stations causing traffic backups along Lincoln Avenue.

Gas company officials say the stunning increases are attributable to public panic and not gas shortages or terminal shutdowns as rumored.

Prices for a gallon of unleaded gas at most stations in Charleston jumped from around $1.50 Monday night to more than $2 by late afternoon Tuesday and it appeared the rise would continue.

Mike Braid, manager of the Amoco gas station at 200 W. Lincoln Ave., said the station was raising its gas prices to approximately $2 because “the terminals have been closed off” in response to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C.

Highlighting the growing public concern over rising gas prices, Braid said that prices for a gallon of gas were already “up to $4 in Champaign and Indiana.”

In addition, Larry Huffman, supervisor of Phillips 66 gas station on 10th Street and Lincoln Avenue, said the Phillips Petroleum Foresight, IL terminal where he purchases gas from was shut down because of the terrorist attacks.

However, Rich Johnson, Phillips Petroleum spokesman, said “none” of the company’s terminals were shut down.

“I’m not sure why he (Huffman) says the terminal is shut down,” Johnson said. “Perhaps there is some confusion.”

Huffman said he was sure the terminal was shut down because “that is what the computer says back in the office.

“It’s closed for the same reason the malls and airports are.”

Furthermore, Huffman also cited the fact that national gas supplies were “running low” as a reason for the rising prices at the gas station he supervises.

But an American Petroleum Institute press release said, “All information we have tells us that fuels are flowing normally to wholesale and retail markets through out the United States…gasoline and diesel fuel inventories are adequate…refinery production remains strong.”

Kate Robbins, Citgo spokeswomen, concurred that the nation’s inventories are adequate and operations are running smoothly.

She also said that even though everything is “flowing normally,” it is possible the sudden increase in demand brought on by the panic of a terrorist attack may increase prices.

“In the wake of an event like this, maybe some people are panicking and if everyone rushes the stations it has the potential to artificially increase the prices.”

Art Weller, owner of Willardet Oil Co., which supplies the Citgo station on Ninth and Lincoln Avenue, said the direct cause of the price jump is “panic and rumors.”

“The news reports about higher prices came out and people started lining up and people see that and the lines get longer,” he said. “But there is nothing real to it.”

“The supply is adequate and is likely to remain adequate.”

Weller said that in Mattoon some gas stations have raised prices up to $3.50 per gallon. “No terminals have been shut down. Somebody started a rumor.”

He said the gas stations he supplies are still selling gas for $1.66 a gallon. “It might raise a few pennies after midnight.”