Waffle House Index Becomes Key Tool in Hurricane Milton Preparations

The closure of Waffle House locations signals severe storm impact as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's west coast.

The Waffle House Index is an informal metric used by Southerners and FEMA to gauge storm severity based on restaurant closures.
Many Waffle House locations in Florida have closed ahead of Hurricane Milton, indicating potentially severe damage.
The index uses a color-coded system: green for full menu service, yellow for limited service, and red for closures.
The concept originated in 2004 with former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate, who noticed Waffle Houses staying open during disasters.
Hurricane Milton is expected to deliver a significant impact on Tampa and St. Petersburg, with residents advised to evacuate.