When heavy rain caused the Ohio River to swell and threaten Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille in Kentucky, restaurant owner Andrew Masterson and his team took an unusual step: they intentionally flooded the building with six feet of clean water from sinks, faucets, and a well pump. This was done to equalize water pressure and prevent muddy, silty river water from entering and causing extensive damage. They disconnected kitchen equipment and electrical panels beforehand to minimize harm.
While this paused business operations, the strategy aimed to reduce cleanup and repair costs. Masterson noted the river was rising faster than he’d ever seen, but as long as it stayed below six feet, the cinderblock-and-tile building should remain protected. The move, shared in a viral social media video, was a calculated effort to control the type of water entering the restaurant.