Hurricane prices

It stands to reason that Florida's economy would feel the sting of hurricanes, since four struck the state earlier this summer. But consumers in Southeast Missouri and other parts of the country will see the effects when buying gasoline, orange juice or even peanuts.

Though this region's wasn't immediately affected by hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, the storms will have an impact in a more subtle, slower way.

A rebuilding boom in Florida could mean that construction materials will be more costly and less available, and labor will migrate to the South.

Grocers, and shoppers too, will see the effects of these storms. Expect prices on sugar, tomatoes, peanuts, oranges and other citrus to rise.

But most Americans will see the greatest surge in prices at the gas pump. Oil prices rose above $50 per barrel last week after nearly 12 million barrels were lost when crews evacuated oil refineries along the Gulf Coast ahead of the hurricanes. Hurricane Ivan shut down 39 production platforms and two drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico when it edged closer to land.

Living in Southeast Missouri we don't have to take shelter from hurricanes, but it doesn't mean our pocketbooks won't feel the pinch. At least we don't have to rebuild too.