Shreveport Ice Storm: This Unusual Sign Could Save Your Life

In Shreveport-Bossier, everyone is gearing up for the potential winter storm that is expected to hit our area this weekend. Currently, there's the potential for ice, snow, power outages and all sorts of severe conditions.

Events like the Krewe of Centaur Bal are being postponed or moved. Hopefully, this all ends up being over the top prep that we can laugh about later...but right now, it's serious prep time to avoid the worst case scenarios.

With that said, there's one indicator to look out for in relation to how bad things are...and it comes from a highly unlikely source - Waffle House.

The Waffle House Index is Real & Could Save Your Life

There's 3 things you can count on in life: Death, Taxes, and Waffle House being open. However, on the rare occasions that your local Waffle House isn't open - that means conditions are pretty darn serious.

You may not realize it, but the Waffle House Index is a real thing! Due to the consistency and reliability of Waffle House, the Waffle House index is an 'informal' metric used by emergency managers and FEMA to gauge the severity of natural disasters. To simplify it - if Waffle House is closed, conditions are bad and potentially life threatening.

How Does the Waffle Index Work?

Again, Waffle house is known globally for their ability to stay open during extreme conditions of all kind. So the "Waffle House Index" is pretty simple:

Green - The restaurant is open with a full menu...which indicates utilities are up and conditions good.

Yellow - Restaurant has a limited menu...which could mean they're on a generator, have some supply issues, or issues with utilities. Generally a sign of trouble in the area.

Red - The restaurant is closed. Which means there's severe damage or unsafe conditions.

What is the Current Forecast for Shreveport-Bossier

As I mentioned at the very top, the forecast isn't looking very good for the local area. There's the potential for freezing temps, ice, snow, sleet, and all the things that to treacherous conditions.

According to experts from the Weather Channel, temps will plunge into the teens on Friday and may remain below freezing for upwards of 70 hours. So, ahead of the winter weather threat, make sure you're prepared - wrap your pipes, make sure you have supplies, etc..

Also, keep an eye on the local Waffle Houses. They may just save your life.