SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. (WDRB) — A Scott County couple waited more than six weeks for a propane delivery, watching their tank run dry just as freezing temperatures gripped southern Indiana — even after repeatedly being told that a truck was on the way.
Neal Bennett and his wife ordered propane from AmeriGas on Christmas Eve. They were told a delivery would be made right away, but the truck didn’t show up until Feb. 10, after WDRB reached out to the company.
Photos taken by Bennett show an AmeriGas truck finally backing up to his home around 7 p.m. Tuesday. He said he’s never had trouble getting propane before.
“It’s set up on auto-fill, so they’re supposed to automatically check it,” he said. “That’s how I even knew it was getting low.”
Bennett said AmeriGas made several deliveries back in November, but never filled his 500-gallon tank completely. Since propane tanks are typically filled to about 85% to allow for expansion, he said the deliveries were for about half of what the tank would hold. He then began to wonder if the company was rationing fuel.
“That’s the way I felt,” he said. “Like I wasn’t getting completely filled up.”
When the propane finally ran out, the Bennetts relied on small electric heaters to stay warm.
“We’ve been sleeping down here in the living room trying to stay warm,” Bennett said.
For weeks, Bennett said he received repeated text messages saying the propane would be delivered “tomorrow.” But tomorrow never came. Each time he called the company, he said the answer was the same, help would arrive soon.
Frustrated, Bennett took to social media and quickly discovered other customers were having similar problems.
“When I made that Facebook post asking if anybody else was having trouble getting it, there were all kinds of people commenting on it,” he said.
WDRB contacted AmeriGas for answers. A company spokesperson said the weather and demand are the root causes of the delays.
In a written statement, a company spokesperson said:
"The extended extreme winter conditions across a large portion of the country have significantly increased demand in a challenging environment. We are servicing more customers this year and have performed better in delivery operations despite this colder than normal weather.
"AmeriGas is undertaking extraordinary efforts to ensure we keep our customers safe and warm. In addition to our normal operations, we are flying in extra drivers from other parts of the country to increase our capacity to serve customers. We have also extended daily service hours to meet heightened demand and ensure we keep the deliveries coming.
"Some customers may notice their tank levels running lower than they're accustomed to due to increased usage during prolonged cold weather. It is important to note that this is typical during extended cold snaps and only a very few customers have experienced service interruptions."
"We encourage all customers to help ensure timely deliveries by:
"Maintaining clear delivery paths – Remove snow, ice, and low-hanging branches to provide at least 10 feet of clearance for our delivery vehicles
"Clearing equipment and vents – Keep snow and ice off propane systems, gas lines, regulator vents, and chimneys to prevent equipment malfunctions
"Marking underground tanks – Use reflective markers or flags to identify tank locations when buried under snow
"Ordering proactively – Will-Call customers should request delivery at 30-40% tank capacity, especially for vacation homes where usage is less predictable
"For customers monitoring their fuel levels, we recommend reviewing your online account at www.myamerigas.com, which displays average daily consumption and estimated days until empty. This helps customers understand what their current tank percentage means in terms of actual usage.
"We remain committed to safe, reliable service and appreciate our customers' partnership during the winter season."
Bennett said his account was paid in full — including for propane that hadn’t yet been delivered — when the truck finally arrived Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order in January waiving certain regulations for fuel haulers, including propane delivery drivers, to help speed up shipments statewide.
The order cites increased demand caused by cold weather, delivery slowdowns at terminals and limited supply in some areas. Similar orders were issued in 2023 and 2024 during winter cold snaps.
Top Stories:
Multiple people arrested after gun was stolen outside Meade County High School, officials say
Clark County sergeant unanimously reinstated after sheriff tried to fire him
Sen. McConnell released from the hospital after 8-day stay to treat 'flu-like symptoms'
Jeffersonville woman charged after allegedly stealing police cruiser, hitting officer
Board moves to delay vote on JCPS central office job cuts
5 Louisville residents face federal charges for selling illegal driver's licenses to immigrants
Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
