Gas Lines and Rationing

After hurricane Sandy hit this area, the enduring indicators of the extent of the damage were the long lines at gas stations that actually had fuel. For four or five days, there were usually lines of 50 to 100 cars down the side of the road leading up to anywhere that gasoline was available. Most of the cars were not from Connecticut; some came from as far away as New Jersey, but most were from New York. For example, one day I drove past the fuel line and out of 75 cars, there was only one with a Connecticut plate. Service stations were opening, running at full tilt under the supervision of the state police and then selling out of fuel.

Three days ago, the lines finally disappeared. Life at the gas station is now back to normal. That is why I am puzzled by today's news. New York City has adopted gasoline rationing. How can it be that things are now so bad that rationing is needed but previously, when drivers were coming 30 miles to Connecticut for gas, there was no need for rationing? Has something changed for the worse?

I readily admit that I do not know the reasoning behind Mayor Bloomberg's move, but it certainly seems that he is solving yesterday's problem.