Whether hype or hysteria or both, gasoline prices in Southwest Fulton saw a sharp increase Wednesday. By Thursday morning many stations were out of gas and those still operating were fetching prices that made refined oil look like liquid gold.

A mid-afternoon check of gas stations in the area mirrored the scene around metro Atlanta and other locations in Georgia: Rapidly escalating prices, gas pumps running dry, long lines at the pump and, of course, the emotions that began to flare when a panic begins to brew.

Prices in Southwest Fulton climbed through the afternoon. Prices at many locations began the day Wednesday near $2.79 for regular. Long before sunset those same pumps were pumping gas $3.19 per gallon.

Some stations saw their tanks begin to run dry as the day wore on. A few station operators said they would be running out before the day was over and had inquired about getting additional supplies. Several were told it would be three to four days before the next shipment would arrive.

Many of those waiting in line seemed to take things in stride while others wore the look of impatience and frustration.

"I can't believe this is happening," said a woman waiting in line at the RaceTrac station on Ga. Highway 74 and I-85.

Local municipalities said they were set in case fuel supplies became inaccessible. Officials in Union City, Palmetto and Fairburn said their cities had a minimum of several days of reserve of both gasoline and diesel.

The sun rose Thursday morning with other stations depleted of gasoline, with plastic bags covering the pumps handles or yellow tape cordoning off the fuel islands. Still others, those with remaining supplies, showed higher prices at the pump. Prices at one station had jumped 50 cents per gallon between mid-afternoon Wednesday and early Thursday morning, the roadside sign showing $3.49 per gallon. That same station was out of gas by 9 a.m. They expected another shipment soon but were not certain then it would arrive.