PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Category 4 Hurricane Michael could become the strongest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history. How concerned are the people in the storm's path? Well, the Waffle House in Panama City actually closed.
That's significant, because Waffle House restaurants rarely close in times of emergencies. And when they do, people take notice. The Federal Emergency Management Agency actually tracks something it's coined the "Waffle House Index." If a Waffle House closes or limits its menu during or after a natural disaster, that's an indication the area took a major hit.
Read: How the Waffle House is used to determine a hurricane's fury
A reporter from Atlanta's 11Alive station posted on his Facebook page marveling that, "The restaurant that never closes is officially closed.”
How bad could Hurricane Michael be for Panama City Beach? They closed down the Waffle House already!
Posted by Ryan Kruger 11Alive on Tuesday, October 9, 2018