If items are only available at “gouged” rates, then this will make them more expensive. That is, this tax will fall only on people in the emergency zone, and specifically those who are desperate enough to buy goods at these elevated costs. Since demand is very inelastic under these circumstances, the tax burden will fall almost entirely on the consumer.
Another approach might be to temporarily raise taxes everywhere except the emergency zone on these goods. For example, if bottled water falls under a temporary excise tax during a hurricane everywhere except the hurricane zone, that incentivizes sellers to bring bottled water to the hurricane victims.
If items are only available at “gouged” rates, then this will make them more expensive. That is, this tax will fall only on people in the emergency zone, and specifically those who are desperate enough to buy goods at these elevated costs. Since demand is very inelastic under these circumstances, the tax burden will fall almost entirely on the consumer.
Another approach might be to temporarily raise taxes everywhere except the emergency zone on these goods. For example, if bottled water falls under a temporary excise tax during a hurricane everywhere except the hurricane zone, that incentivizes sellers to bring bottled water to the hurricane victims.