This docudrama outlines the effects of a severe oil and gas shortage in the United States, brought on by a hurricane damaging much of the oil infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. The drama is seen through the eyes of stock traders and analysts, a small business owner, government officials and news reporters. The story begins when the massive Hurricane Julia strikes New Orleans, La. In addition to killing thousands of people, the storm - stronger than a Category 5 storm (the strongest on the Saffir-Simpson scale) - destroys a major pipeline at Port Fourchon, La. (as well as wiping out many offshore oil rigs and refineries). As work begins to rebuild the pipeline, the price of gasoline soars to above $3 a gallon. Then, a series of events spiral the gas prices to unheard of levels of $7 per gallon or more.