Hurricane Helene has descended upon Florida as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm, making landfall on Thursday night. Authorities have instructed those in the storm’s path to shelter in place, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warning communities to brace for "catastrophic, life-threatening inland flooding" in areas including Tallahassee, metro Atlanta, and western North Carolina.
In response to the severity of Hurricane Helene, Waffle House has closed several locations in its path, including all its locations in Tallahassee and its branch in neighboring Crawfordville. This action has placed Hurricane Helene at a red on the Waffle House Index, indicating a high likelihood of significant community impact.
Waffle House issued a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat, explaining the closures: "In areas predicted to be hardest hit, we will preemptively close restaurants with a goal of reopening them as soon it is safe to do so, to serve communities that have been there for us over the years."
In anticipation of the hurricane’s impact, images of closed or boarded-up Waffle House locations are circulating on social media, a phenomenon widely seen as a sign of the impending danger.
As of now, most Waffle House locations in Tallahassee are still listed as open on the chain’s official website, though it is unclear whether this is due to selective closures or outdated website information. It is noted that website updates are likely not a top priority during the storm.
Mashable has reached out to Waffle House for further comment.
What is the Waffle House Index?
Waffle House is known for its 24/7 service, maintaining operations even through challenging weather conditions such as tornadoes, blizzards, and hurricanes, often with a limited menu. This resilience has led to the development of the Waffle House Index, an informal measure created by former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Craig Fugate to assess storm severity.
According to a 2017 FEMA blog post, a fully operational Waffle House reflects a green status on the Index, indicating normalcy. A limited menu points to a yellow status, suggesting some local distress but partial functionality. A closed Waffle House signifies a red status, indicating severe community disruption.
While the Waffle House Index is primarily used to evaluate post-storm conditions, the preemptive closure of Waffle House locations can serve as a significant indicator of an impending severe storm. Given Waffle House’s preparations for Hurricane Helene, those affected should take the dangers seriously.