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Gas prices hit a record high Monday in North Carolina, while motorists and gas stations continued to grapple with the consequences of Hurricane Ike’s disruptions and Friday’s massive gas-buying spree.

Average prices statewide hit $4.085 cents Monday, an all-time record and 50 cents higher than a week ago, according to AAA Carolinas.

Meanwhile, the state attorney general’s office announced it issued subpoenas to stations across the state, including one in High Point that had been charging more than $5 a gallon, as part of an investigation into possible price-gouging.

Despite the rise in prices and continuing shortages, the situation could soon return to normal. Damage to rigs and refineries along the Gulf Coast appears to be minimal, according to AAA Carolinas, and production could return to pre-Ike levels in a week.

At the BP near Battleground Avenue and Cone Boulevard, owner Steve Gladson waited on a delivery of gas Monday afternoon.

Letters to spell out “We have fuel” on the station’s sign outside sat on a counter, awaiting the delivery truck. Still, it won’t be enough to replenish tanks sucked dry by Friday’s frenzy.

“A good percentage of the drivers in Guilford County decided to get gas all at the same time,” Gladson said. “We just took care of five days of business in one.”

At one point, the station was selling 2,000 gallons an hour, more than it sells on many days.

On Monday, the station was out of all but premium.

Gladson said it would take time for the gas distribution system to reload but said customers likely would see matters get back to normal in a week or so.

The High Point station contacted by the attorney general’s office, the Grand Central Express on Surrett Drive, was asked to provide information about how much the owners charged for fuel and how much they had paid for it. Retailers will have 10 days to explain why their prices went so high and could be fined up to $5,000, the Associated Press reported.

Anita Swink, who owns the station with her husband, said the station charged $5.63 because it had to pay $5.33 for the gas.

After customers complained, the station dropped the price back to $3.99, meaning they are taking a loss on each gallon sold.

Swink’s situation illustrated a dilemma other stations faced as wholesale prices soared. Buy gas at high prices and risk complaints, or take the risk of running out.

“If we had never been in the business, we’d be as upset as everybody else,” she said. “If we had to do it again, we wouldn’t have ordered it. We just would have let it run out.”

Those customers who did buy gas Monday said they were glad it was there but were glum about the price.

“Twenty dollars would have filled my car up two years ago,” said Nicole Crawford of Greensboro, filling up at the Gate station at Battleground Avenue and New Garden Road.

“It’s terrible. But we’ve got to get around.”

AAA advised residents to avoid panic-pumping and to fill up only when less than a quarter tank remains.

Gladson said that even with the disruptions from Ike, everything would have remained normal if not everyone had bought gas at once.

“There’s just not enough fuel in the ground,” he said.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or jason.hardin@news-record.com