Waffle House serves up critical intel for FEMA disaster ratings

Who knew that Waffle House kept crucial information stored under its smothered-and-covered hashbrowns? FEMA director Craig Fugate has based a disaster assessment scale on the breakfast-all-day restaurant chain's status. After tornadoes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, FEMA calls the Waffle House closest to the scene to ask how it's operating that day. A "green" rating means the restaurant has water and electricity and is serving a full menu, while "red" means "HOLY SH*T THEY'RE CLOSED IT'S TIME TO PANIC." Waffle House COO Walt Ehmer is proud of the restaurant's reputation for being reliable. "If we're able to get back open, things might be bad, but they're not horrible," he said.