ATLANTA -- Metro Atlanta’s gasoline shortage has not eased and now there are lines for fuel across the area.

After damage from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the main pipeline that delivers Atlanta’s gas is still not running at capacity. Meanwhile, federal officials granted Gov. Sonny Perdue's request to allow metro Atlantans to use dirtier-burning fuel until the shortage eases.

"When I saw these pumps open I felt good again," said one driver.

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But to get that good feeling, you have to do some searching -- both by driving and by praying.

"I’ve just been praying. Lord please just let me find gas and I've been finding gas so he's been helping me," said driver Linda Stiles.

VIDEO: Drivers Line Up For Gas In Cobb County

"I think it's crazy, I just ran out of gas right over there and my husband brought me five gallons and I ended up (at this gas station) and I don't know, I'm about to run out," said driver Lori Etheridge.

“We shouldn’t have to do that. Heck, I'm 63 years old and running around from one place to another just isn't working for me,” said another driver.

Channel 2's informal survey found only about one in ten stations with pumps flowing in Cobb County. And station owners said a load that would normally last them a full day was only good for about four hours.

VIEWER MAIL: Drivers Sound Off On Gas Outages

Gas suppliers said the situation started with a flurry of panic buying -- people filling up their cars that really didn't have to. But as the days have gone by, the situation has morphed into something else. Now, drivers are actually out of gas.

"My gas light has been on for a couple days," said one woman.

Station managers said they feel for those in line with the gas gauge on "E" -- but there are some who don’t really need gas who just feel constantly compelled to fill up.

"Well everywhere that I see there is gas I'm definitely going to stop and get some," said Etheridge.

EPA Eases Gas Restrictions

The EPA decided late Tuesday afternoon to ease restictions in Atlanta -- effective immediately. The federal government approved Gov. Sonny Perdue's written request for an environmental waiver from the specialized fuel required in 45 north Georgia counties -- including all of metro Atlanta.

Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson joined Perdue in urging the EPA to make that ruling.

The governor's office is warning drivers that the waiver, although it is effective immediately, won't solve the gas problem overnight. There are still going to be gas shortages for several more days, the office said Tuesday.

But critics said they are furious and they want to know why it took Perdue until late Monday afternoon to ask the feds for help. The governor wasn't answering questions, but his press secretary was.

“We’re doing all that we can,” said Bert Brantley, Perdue's press secretary.

But as frustrated drivers all over metro Atlanta and beyond continue to line up at the pumps, the governor’s critics are asking why he didn’t formally ask the feds for help last week.

“By not managing this, by not reacting, not working steadily with the EPA, not having this relationship, not maintaining it, it drags until there’s another crisis and who gets hurt are the working people,” said Rep. Dubose Porter, (D) House Minority Leader.

Because of Atlanta’s air quality problems, the feds require a cleaner burning fuel here. Late Monday afternoon, the governor sent a letter to the EPA asking them to temporarily lift those restrictions so distributors can get fuel from other areas that have it.

Tuesday evening, the EPA agreed.

Distributors Channel 2 talked with said they gave Perdue’s office a heads up two weeks ago that the crisis would likely happen because of a one-two punch from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Add to that the fact supplies are normally low this time of year as refineries switch from a summer to winter gas formula.

“This is the same pattern we’ve seen of waiting too long. There’s got to be that leadership whether it’s transportation, education or here in a gas crisis,” said Porter.

“The people who would criticize that, they don’t understand the way we’re working with the EPA. We were talking with them everyday and timing the request so we could get a positive response,” said Brantley.

The EPA said the ease in restrictions will last through October 12.

HERO Units Seeing Increase In Stranded Drivers

Georgia’s HERO units are on the lookout for drivers who have run out of gas. Officials told Channel 2 the units are seeing more and more drivers stranded because of gas shortages and high prices.

Halfway through his day, Bennie Conley has already delivered gas to three stranded motorists.

Kayla Vinson is his fourth.

“I just knew I was going to make it home because I’m almost there. I’m like 10 minutes away, but as I was coming up the ramp I could feel my car cutting off. I was like, ‘No, please!’” said Vinson.

She ran out of gas after spending an hour driving around looking for an open station.

“I went looking for gas earlier during lunch but the lines were so long so I decided to wait. I guess it was a bad choice because once I got to the gas stations, lines were even longer and most gas stations they don’t even have gas,” said Vinson.

With high gas prices all summer, Georgia Highway Emergency Response Operators, or HEROs, have been busy with gas calls. They’ve been giving away thousands of gallons a month. But Monday, those calls doubled for Conley.

“Today I’ve spent $30 already, just trying to keep that can full,” said Conley.

Now, it isn’t how much the gas costs but how little of it is available.

HERO units must also be extra careful that they don’t run low on gas. The crews said it is taking longer than normal to refill their tanks.