Kicker: The Waffle House index

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Waffles, biscuits and gravy might not be what you think of during bad storms. But there’s such a thing as the “Waffle House Index.” That southern restaurant chain famous for staying open 24/7, 365 days per year.

But even Waffle House is subject to the forces of nature. So southerners know to look to that chain to assess how bad a storm is going to be.

Here’s John Oliver on his show Last Week Tonight:

JOHN OLIVER: The Waffle House Index actually originated with the government…this FEMA administrator realized that when going into a disaster zone, if you get there and the Waffle House is closed? That’s really bad.

Really really bad! Meaning, on its website, red alert…serious flooding or damage. Yellow means limited menu due to lack of water or electricity, and green is all systems go.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: No waffling on that. A place to recover after a battering.

BROWN: It’s The World and Everything in It.

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