Man Using Whataburger App as Power Outage Tracker is the Most Texas Thing Ever

In the wake of Tropical Storm Beryl, which knocked out power to over 2 million homes and businesses on Monday (July 8), frustration grew across Texas as power companies, including CenterPoint Energy, failed to provide up-to-date information or maps on outages and restoration progress. Amidst the chaos, a Texas man found an inventive solution that perfectly embodies the state's resourceful spirit.

A man, known by his handle @bbqbryan on X (formerly known as Twitter), turned to an unlikely source for outage information: the Whataburger app.

Without access to a reliable power outage map, @bbqbryan began making educated guesses about power statuses based on which 24-hour Whataburger locations were closed.

This clever workaround drew comparisons to the Waffle House Index, a real-life gauge where the operational status of Waffle House restaurants is used to assess disaster recovery efforts in various areas.

While some skeptics pointed out potential flaws in @bbqbryan’s method, many others affirmed that his makeshift map accurately reflected the regions where power had been restored and where it remained out.

Despite not being a perfect tool, his creative approach filled a critical information gap during a time of need, highlighting the innovative spirit of Texans.

@bbqbryan's ingenuity did not go unnoticed. Even Whataburger itself reached out to acknowledge his unique use of their app. They tweeted, "Well there’s a use for our app we didn’t think of! We hope you and everyone else are okay! Can you DM us a good mailing address? We’d love to send you something for using the app so creatively!"

While not the perfect measurement for power outages, this interaction definitely provided a moment of levity amid the ongoing recovery efforts. As residents continue to navigate the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl, picking up the pieces and working towards normalcy, @bbqbryan and his Whataburger app hack definitely captured the resilience and creativity of Texas and many along the Gulf Coast who have a knack for figuring things out when the going gets tough.

As recovery efforts progress, we extend our thoughts and well-wishes to everyone affected by Beryl, hoping for a swift return to normalcy.