✉news EnvironmentWeather first seen 23 h ago, last 12 h ago, peak #14
Waffle House Index gauges storm severity across the South
Original: The Waffle House Index helps Southerners — and FEMA — gauge a storm's severity
The Waffle House Index, an informal storm-severity measure used by FEMA, is back in focus as severe weather threatens the southern United States. The index tracks whether local Waffle House restaurants are open, running a limited menu, or closed — with closures signaling serious damage. Southerners often use the same logic to judge how bad a storm is, since the chain is known for staying open through disasters.
Why now: A storm is threatening the South, prompting attention to familiar local measures of severity.
Waffle HouseFEMASouthern United States
Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 9 snapshots from 23 h ago to 12 h ago.
Evidence
- The Waffle House Index helps Southerners — and FEMA — gauge a storm's severity · ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/1543761