It's my understanding that WH brings in a dedicated storm team to run affected stores rather than putting the screws on their regulars during a crisis.
"Jump teams are made up of Waffle House contractors, construction workers, gas line experts, restaurant operators, food providers and other associates who are assembled and ready to go wherever needed at a moment's notice. Their purpose is to help relieve local Waffle House operators and employees who need to evacuate, be with their families or tend to their homes when a storm hits, and help make sure restaurants are able to open quickly after a storm or stay open during a storm"
[1] https://www.wafflehouse.com/how-to-measure-a-storms-fury-one...