As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, the Waffle House chain has shuttered multiple locations in the Tampa Bay area, including Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, and Fort Myers. This action is part of the 'Waffle House Index,' a unique scale used to gauge the severity of natural disasters, indicating potential danger from the storm. Waffle House closures serve as a serious signal about the approaching hurricane's impacts, with dozens of restaurants closing down to ensure safety. The Waffle House Storm Center is actively engaged, assisting FEMA and local authorities in assessing the situation as they monitor the storm's progress.