BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 19 (UPI) — Gas prices have jumped in six states across the Southeast after a pipeline leak in Alabama forced a shutdown that created major fuel shortages.

States of emergency have been declared in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia with prices jumping as much 16 cents in Georgia and and 10 cents in Tennessee in the last week, according to Auto Club.

A gasoline spill of about 336,000 gallons opened up near Birmingham, Ala., earlier this month forcing the closure of Colonial Pipeline’s underground Line 1, which transports gasoline from Houston to New York.

The spill also opened just up the Cahaba River from a national wildlife refuge that is home to 64 endangered or rare plant and animal species.

Most of the gas spilled into a water retention pond near an old coal mine pit and did not reach the river.

Aerial photo of two of the three mine water retention ponds at the incident site. The retention pond on the right is where the gasoline has been contained according to Colonial Pipeline reports.

“We really did bypass the bullet,” said Myra Crawford, executive director of Cahaba Riverkeeper.

“It could have been horrible. If the oil had flowed into the river, where our lilies grow, it would have contaminated one of our state treasures. It could have flowed down through Alabama and into the Mobile Bay.”  By Shawn Price, UPI

Video: Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has extended a state of emergency issued after a gas pipeline ruptured in Alabama, but it hasn’t been enough to avoid a hike in prices and even gas shortages in Georgia.