ATLANTA – Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has issued a State of Emergency following the rupture of a gas pipeline in Alabama which spilled 250,000 gallons of gasoline.

The pipeline operator, Colonial Pipeline, released the following information about the spill Thursday afternoon:

“Based on current projections and consultations with industry partners, parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will be the first markets to be impacted by any potential disruption in supply.”

“Colonial has briefed officials in these states and will continue to provide timely information to the public so that they can plan accordingly.”

The rupture happened south of Birmingham and has shut down a major pipeline connecting refineries in Houston with the rest of the country.

Deal’s declaration will suspend commercial driving limits in an effort to combat the possibility of rising gas prices due to the spill. A similar State of Emergency declaration was issued in Alabama.

Read the State of Emergency declaration here.