When dealing with a flood, the usual goal is to keep your space dry and clean. However, the owner of Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille in Kentucky had a different idea. Realizing he couldn’t stop the murky river water from breaching the Kentucky restaurant, he chose to fight water with water. He deliberately filled the entire restaurant with clean water by turning on the sinks and faucets and using a well water pump. The tactic aimed to match the water pressure inside and outside the building, blocking the murky floodwaters from breaching the interior.
The owner and staff had prepared well in advance. To minimize potential damage to the Kentucky restaurant, they disconnected kitchen equipment and shut down the electrical panels. While the tactic might seem unusual, the owner explained that it helps reduce cleanup time and prevents long-term issues that typically follow when muddy river water floods a building. In a video shared by the owner, a clear divide between the clean and dirty water can be seen, highlighting the effectiveness of the approach.
Internet users who came across this unique approach found the video both intriguing and unconventional. After all, not many people would think to fight water with water. “It’s a strange kind of peace treaty… ‘You can’t hurt me if we’re both wet now,’” one Redditor commented.
Others questioned whether the tactic was truly effective. However, some users familiar with the area defended the Kentucky restaurant owner’s decision, saying that while the method might seem odd, it’s actually the most practical option for that specific property. “It’s a restaurant that’s popular because it’s directly on the river. There are no walls that will stop it if it floods there. They’ve learned how to deal with it when it inevitably happens,” another user explained.
Some people questioned whether the Kentucky restaurant owner might face issues with insurance for using this tactic. After all, he openly recorded and shared footage of himself intentionally flooding his own property. While his goal was clearly to reduce damage, insurance companies may still try to use it as a reason to deny coverage.
“I doubt they’d cover it since the flooding was intentional, even if the reasoning was sound. But this place floods often, and insurance already tends to fight claims here anyway,” one user commented. “The owner moved all the furniture and appliances out of harm’s way and flooded the floor with clean water, so hopefully the damage will be minimal and they can reopen more quickly.”
