(Reuters) – Energy companies on Tuesday began shutting down their pipelines and fuel-delivery terminals in Tampa, Florida ahead of the forecast landfall of Hurricane Milton.
Kinder Morgan said it has shut down its Central Florida Pipeline system, two small lines which carry gasoline, diesel and other fuels from Tampa to Orlando. Kinder Morgan also closed all bulk-fuel delivery terminals in the Tampa area.
“While the Tampa terminal is shut down, our Orlando truck racks are expected to remain operational until winds exceed 35 miles per hour,” Kinder Morgan added.
Hurricane Milton was located 520 miles (835 km) southwest of Tampa, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 kph). It is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
Refiner Citgo has also shut down its Tampa terminal as Milton approaches the Florida coast, the company said in an email.
Milton is forecast to retain its major hurricane status and expand in size while it approaches the west coast of Florida.
(Reporting by Anushree Mukherjee and Brijesh Patel in Bengaluru, and Shariq Khan in New York; Editing by Rod Nickel)
