Sysco, which has a major operation in flooded New Orleans, is offline, and chains dependent on it for operations will likely have to make other plans.

One of those chains, Krispy Krunchy Stores, a fried chicken concept operating in five states—with roughly 50 percent of the units in southeast Louisiana (including New Orleans) and the gulf coast of Mississippi—is beginning to take stock.

“We are still assessing the damage today,” says Neal Onebane, president of Krispy Krunchy Foods, LLC. “We will be sending out personnel to the accessible areas in the upcoming days.”

The task will no doubt prove daunting. With waters still rising and roads out of commission for the foreseeable future, just making contact with units may prove to be an accomplishment in itself.