News Summary
Rainey Cawthon Distributors has doubled its emergency fuel storage capacity to 90,000 gallons in Tallahassee. The new facility enhances fuel delivery efficiency to first responders and healthcare services during storms, addressing past challenges with fuel shortages. The upgrades include a self-service fuel station and backup power systems, reinforcing the company’s commitment to community support during emergencies.
Tallahassee – Rainey Cawthon Distributors, a prominent fuel supplier based in Tallahassee, is taking significant measures to bolster its emergency preparedness in light of the challenges posed by storms. The company has recently opened a new facility featuring a 90,000-gallon storage tank, effectively doubling its previous emergency response capacity from 45,000 gallons to 90,000 gallons. This expansion is designed to enhance the efficiency of fuel delivery to first responders, hospitals, and local businesses during adverse weather events.
The newly upgraded facility, located on Shelfer Road, includes a self-service fuel station tailored for bulk customers, as well as a backup power system to ensure continuous operations during storms. The enhancements made to the facility are aimed at improving the supply maintenance of fuel during natural disasters, allowing Rainey Cawthon Distributors to serve a larger customer base effectively in critical situations.
Ivey Yarger, the Vice President of Rainey Cawthon Distributors, highlighted the essential role that fuel plays during storms. Residents are advised to keep their vehicles with at least a half tank of gas to prepare for potential evacuations. The opening of the new facility is one of the company’s latest efforts to guarantee that essential services in the community, such as grocery stores and healthcare facilities, maintain their operations even after severe weather events.
This move comes in response to the challenges faced by local businesses and residents during past storms. For instance, following Hurricane Milton, approximately 17% of gas stations across Florida experienced fuel shortages, with about 2% of those outages occurring within Tallahassee. Long lines and fuel scarcity after storms have caused frustration among local business operators who depend on a steady supply of fuel. Travis Pope, a local businessman, expressed concerns over the difficulties encountered during past fuel shortages.
The history of Rainey Cawthon Distributors dates back to 1948, starting as a distributor of home heating oil, which has since transformed into a supplier of bulk fuel and convenience store services. The company’s commitment to enhancing fuel supply reliability reflects its ongoing dedication to the community in the Big Bend area. Charles Rooney, the company president, stated that the new facility reinforces their intention to support local fueling needs, particularly in the face of natural disasters.
In conclusion, the expanded facility of Rainey Cawthon Distributors signifies a critical advancement in emergency response capabilities for fuel distribution within Tallahassee. By doubling their storage capacity and ensuring the sustainability of their operations during emergencies, the company is better positioned to meet the needs of first responders, healthcare facilities, and local businesses during storms, ultimately contributing to the overall resiliency of the Tallahassee community in disaster situations.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL News
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Preparedness
- Tallahassee Democrat
- Google Search: Hurricane Season 2025
- Politico
- Google Scholar: Emergency Fuel Distribution
- WPTV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane
- Tallahassee Democrat Opinion
- Google News: Hurricane Response Florida
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
