Waffle House index

[Philip Chee]

[[
Fema uses 'Waffle House index' to take stock of Oklahoma tornado disaster

Head of US federal emergency agency devised three-level system as
informal way of measuring impact of natural disasters

When the main US federal emergency agency arrives at the scene of a
disaster-hit area, one of the first places it turns to is the local
Waffle House � and not just for its officials to grab a quick bite.

Craig Fugate, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, came
up with the idea of the "Waffle House index" as an informal way of
measuring the impact of a disaster. The chain, which has a large number
of branches in tornado-prone areas, has a robust emergency management plan.

The index has three levels. If the local Waffle House is up and running,
serving a full menu, a disaster is classed as green. If it is running
with an emergency generator and serving only a limited menu, it is a
yellow. If it is closed, badly damaged or totally destroyed, as during
hurricane Katrina, it is a red.
]]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/21/fema-waffle-house-index-oklahoma

Phil

--
Philip Chee <phi...@aleytys.pc.my>, <phili...@gmail.com>
http://flashblock.mozdev.org/ http://xsidebar.mozdev.org
Guard us from the she-wolf and the wolf, and guard us from the thief,
oh Night, and so be good for us to pass.

[rksh...@rosettacondot.com]

Philip Chee <phi...@aleytys.pc.my> wrote:
> [[
> Fema uses 'Waffle House index' to take stock of Oklahoma tornado disaster
>
> Head of US federal emergency agency devised three-level system as
> informal way of measuring impact of natural disasters
>
> When the main US federal emergency agency arrives at the scene of a
> disaster-hit area, one of the first places it turns to is the local

> Waffle House – and not just for its officials to grab a quick bite.

>
> Craig Fugate, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, came
> up with the idea of the "Waffle House index" as an informal way of
> measuring the impact of a disaster. The chain, which has a large number
> of branches in tornado-prone areas, has a robust emergency management plan.
>
> The index has three levels. If the local Waffle House is up and running,
> serving a full menu, a disaster is classed as green. If it is running
> with an emergency generator and serving only a limited menu, it is a
> yellow. If it is closed, badly damaged or totally destroyed, as during
> hurricane Katrina, it is a red.
> ]]
>
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/21/fema-waffle-house-index-oklahoma

An earlier Wall Street Journal article about the "Waffle House Index"
with a few more details:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576542460736605364.html
They really shine in situations where they can prepare, like hurricanes.
Tornadoes are too random and happen too quickly for there to be anything
other than general disaster readiness.
My wife's sister works for one of the churches in Moore. She and her
husband were in the church while the tornado passed about 1/2 mile south
of them.

Robert
--
Robert K. Shull Email: rkshull at rosettacon dot com