A spokesperson for Waffle House did not say how many restaurants would close in preparation for Hurricane Helene, but many in Tallahassee closed.

As such, an open, fully functional restaurant is a green on the Waffle House Index, meaning that the zone is more or less fine. A limited menu is yellow on the scale, indicating that the local area could use some assistance. The Waffle House Index hits red when a restaurant is closed, signifying that the local community needs significant help.

When Waffle House boards up, you know it's time to get out. Hurricane Helene is nearing the Florida coastline, and the Category 2 hurricane looks like it will cause catastrophic damage. NBC News reported that the hurricane is barrelling toward Florida and could be an intense Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits land,