By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – Gas prices in North Dakota dropped last week.

But a petroleum analyst says we can soon see higher prices, because of Hurricane Ida.

The Website “GasBuddy.com” says the price at the pump fell 7.6 cents per gallon in North Dakota. The average price is now $3.04, 93.4 cents higher than it was a year ago.

GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says because refineries in Louisiana are out of commission because of Ida, that will have a quick and profound impact on US gasoline supply.

DeHaan says that 5 to 15 cent effect is much less than what we saw after Hurricane Katrina.