flood protection at it's most basic is like a timer in reverse.

on *:event:etc:#: {
  if (!%flood) {
   set -u60 %flood ON
   --rest of script--
 }
 else { halt }
}

That will create %flood for 60 seconds, then remove it. It really is a basic requirement for anything you make that will post on server, to stop people repeat triggering it and flooding you out. (most have 5 seconds or so but an away reply isn't needed that often)
For as long as %flood exists it will not trigger the script, hope that helps.
napa182's much better version will set a flood for each person that activates it, but in essence it does the same (for 5 minutes though)
Keep learning, it's all gravy. :]