These Are the Shockingly Long Gas Lines in New York and New Jersey After Sandy

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) -- Filling stations with "No Gas" signs taped to the pumps are confronting drivers across New York City and coastal New Jersey amid fuel shortages following Superstorm Sandy.

Those lucky enough to find stations with gas for sale face long lines to reach the pumps.

New Jersey state troopers keep order as motorist line up to purchase gasoline at the Thomas A. Edison service area on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, near Woodbridge, N.J. Gas lines were long at some gas stations Saturday morning with motorists trying to make purchases before a noon switch to a gas-rationing system ordered by Gov. Chris Christie. Drivers with license plates ending in an even number will be allowed to buy gas on even-numbered days, and those with plates ending in an odd number can make gas purchases on odd-numbered days. (AP)

A Hess gas station employee directs gas lines on Route 110 in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on Nov. 3, 2012 at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, N.Y. With the death toll currently over 100 and millions of homes and businesses without power, the East Coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by the storm. New Jersey has begun rationing gas and the Department of Defense will be setting up mobile gas stations in New York City and Long Island. (Getty Images)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday implemented a gas-rationing system reminiscent of the 1970s, where residents with license plates ending in an even number are able to purchase gas only on even-numbered days and those with odd-numbered plates can buy it on odd-numbered days.

The gas crisis is expected to end within days as electricity comes back across the region, allowing fuel to be pumped from refineries, through pipelines, off tanker ships, out of terminals and to gas stations.

But in the meantime, getting gas for vehicles and home generators can mean protracted hunts for open stations and then hours spent in line.

Gas customers on foot with portable containers and lines of vehicles wait for gas pumps to open at a service station Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that resolving gas shortages could take days. Police presence was increased at gas lines after arrests at gas stations over line jumping. (AP)

A crowd gather at a service station with portable containers, waiting for gas pumps to open, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP)

In Staten Island, drivers seemed to be taking the long wait with calm. Sammy Cruz sat for three hours Saturday and still had 20 cars in front of him.

"People are happy to be getting something," he said. "Nobody's complaining."

A police officer tries to calm tensions over line jumping as a crowd of gas customers wait for gas pumps to open at a service station Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP)

Customers line up along Route 22 East at the US Gas, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Pohatcong Township, N.J. , as the gas-rationing ordinance goes into effect. Christie said the system would remain in place as long as he deemed a need for it. (AP)

New Jersey state troopers keep order as motorist line up to purchase gasoline at the Thomas A. Edison service area on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, near Woodbridge, N.J., before the noon switch to a gas-rationing system in 12 counties ordered by Gov. Chris Christie. (AP)

Edison Police Officer Charle Crincoli informs a motorist that they can't get gas today, as they wait in long lines at the Tiger Mart Exxon on Route 1 and Parsonage Road in Edison, N.J., Saturday, Nov 3, 2012. (AP)