Gas prices skyrocketed at some stations over concern that Hurricane Ike may disrupt the supply of gas from the Gulf of Mexico.

WITN has confirmed gas has hit $4.49 at several stations here in Eastern Carolina, and we even found one store selling regular for $4.79 a gallon.

Friday night there were several stations around eastern Carolina without unleaded. Some are out of all types of gas.

The Pantry chain of gas stations, which includes Kangaroo gas stations, is limiting the amount of gas. A sign posted at a Kangaroo store in Greenville reads as follows: "Due to limited gasoline supply we ask that our customers limit the purchase to 10 gallons per transaction. This request will allow us to provide gasoline for all of our valued customers during this time of limited supply in the Southeastern U.S."

Hurricane Ike has forced oil companies to vacate the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. There's concern that the monster storm could disrupt supplies and create a shortage. That's helping drive gas prices.

AAA Carolinas says drivers should not take any unnecessary trips right now. A spokesman also says the worst thing drivers could do now is panic and flock to gas stations to fill up on gas.

Melissa Anderson of The Pantry tells the Associated Press that her company didn't have supply problems but was being proactive.