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Coverage dated September 27, 2022

Waffle house closes for hurricane Ian as Florida faces worst-case scenario

Headline from Newsweek

The Waffle House Index is often informally used to indicate the severity of an incoming storm, and the one about to hit the Sunshine State looks bad.

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Read the reports

Reports & sources

7 articles, oldest first.

  1. Washington Examiner

    Hurricane Ian: Twenty-one Florida Waffle Houses close doors (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    In a move that could be interpreted as a sign of how bad things are in Florida, 21 Waffle Houses have closed their doors in the Sunshine State due to Hurricane Ian.

  2. Newsweek

    Waffle house closes for hurricane Ian as Florida faces worst-case scenario (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    The Waffle House Index is often informally used to indicate the severity of an incoming storm, and the one about to hit the Sunshine State looks bad.

  3. FOX Business

    Hurricane Ian forces Waffle House locations in Florida to close (opens FOX Business)

    Published

    FOX Business's feed description

    Waffle Houses in Florida are closing as Hurricane Ian comes ashore, a strong but informal indicator of the severe damage officials expect to see.

  4. FOX Business

    As Hurricane Ian slams Florida, 'Waffle House Index' aims to help communities measure disaster's impact (opens FOX Business)

    Published

    FOX Business's feed description

    Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer says management is making calls "on the ground" as to whether or not restaurants stay open as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida.

  5. CBS News

    Waffle House closures along Florida coast are ominous storm sign (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    As Hurricane Ian makes landfall, chain shutters 21 restaurants in evacuation zones and low-lying areas across the state.

  6. Insider

    People are keeping a close eye on Waffle House as Hurricane Michael makes landfall — and there's a weird reason why (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    Waffle House is known for staying open during many natural disasters. If a Waffle House closes, it suggests the event was bad enough to have devastating effects on the economy.

  7. NBC News

    Waffle House closes 21 Florida locations as Hurricane Ian moves in (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency has historically used an unofficial "Waffle House Index" in part to help assess damage in disaster areas.

Waffle house closes for hurricane Ian as Florida faces worst-case scenario | Since Then