In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a significant portion of Houston’s population finds itself without electricity, with the looming threat of a heat wave intensifying the situation.
Resourceful Residents Turn to Fast Food App
Frustrations with the local utility company’s lack of a dedicated app have led residents to discover an unconventional solution: the Whataburger app.
Whataburger, a popular fast-food chain with numerous locations in the Houston area, features a map on its app indicating which stores are open or closed.
Social Media Amplifies App’s Utility
An observant user recognized the app’s potential as a power outage tracker and shared their discovery on social media, where it quickly gained traction.
Whataburger acknowledged the unintended use of its app, expressing well wishes for those affected by the power outages.
App’s Popularity Soars
The viral attention resulted in a significant boost in the app’s download numbers, propelling it higher in the app store rankings.
While the Whataburger phenomenon is amusing, it underscores deeper problems in Texas regarding inadequate support for residents during extreme weather events.
Political Backlash Resurfaces
The situation evokes memories of a previous crisis, where Senator Ted Cruz faced criticism for his actions during a deadly winter storm, further fueling residents’ frustrations.
Although the Whataburger app offers some insights into power availability, it’s important to note its limitations, as store closures could be attributed to various factors beyond power outages.