When hurricanes hit, most businesses lock up and wait for the skies to clear. But one restaurant chain has become a surprising gauge of a storm’s impact: Waffle House. With over 1,600 locations in areas vulnerable to hurricanes, Waffle House is known for staying open in even the toughest conditions. This has led to the creation of a tool known as the “Waffle House Index,” used by FEMA to assess the severity of hurricane damage and how quickly an area can recover.

The Waffle House Index operates on three levels: green, yellow, and red. A green indicator means the restaurant is open and serving its full menu, signaling minimal damage in the area. Yellow means the restaurant is offering a limited menu, usually due to power outages or food supply issues. A red status means the restaurant is closed, pointing to severe damage or unsafe conditions in the surrounding community.

Waffle House’s commitment to reopening quickly after storms isn’t just about business—it’s part of their crisis management strategy. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, where seven restaurants were destroyed and over 100 closed temporarily, the company strengthened its disaster response plan. They invested in portable generators, built a mobile command center, and developed a manual for reopening after disasters, all in an effort to be there for communities when they need it most.

In the months leading up to Hurricane Irene in 2011, Waffle House lost power at 22 locations across multiple states, but most were back in operation within days. Even when the power goes out, Waffle House often continues to serve customers, running on gas grills and a limited menu until full service can be restored.

Their efforts have earned them a spot among top companies for disaster response, alongside giants like Walmart and Home Depot. For Waffle House, staying open during and after hurricanes is about more than profits—it’s about serving their communities and being a beacon of normalcy in times of crisis.

The next time a hurricane is on the horizon, it’s worth keeping an eye on your local Waffle House. Their status could tell you more than just where to grab breakfast—it might give you insight into how hard your area has been hit.