Ten years ago, more than 21 inches of rain fell across south Louisiana over several days, sending floodwaters into homes, neighborhoods and businesses throughout Livingston Parish. What followed was one of the most devastating natural disasters the community had ever experienced—and a defining moment for the people who responded.

As Livingston Parish marks the 10-year anniversary of the historic August 2016 flood, Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4 (LPFPD4) remembers not only the devastation, but the extraordinary resilience of the community and the first responders who worked to protect it.

A new video, “Remembering 2016,” captures firsthand memories and footage from the flood, including rescues, rising water throughout the community and the emergency response that continued for days.

From August 12 through August 20, 2016, LPFPD4 personnel logged more than 5,000 man-hours and responded to more than 800 calls for assistance. Many required evacuating residents by boat as floodwaters rose. In all, more than 1,200 citizens were brought to safety.

But the story of the 2016 flood was not defined only by the water. It was defined by people. Neighbors helped neighbors. Volunteers and organizations brought resources to those in need. First responders worked around the clock. And across Livingston Parish, people came together to help one another through an unprecedented disaster.

“The flood may have ravaged south Louisiana, but it didn’t destroy the spirit of this department or the community,” Deputy Chief Trey Jackson explains in the video. “In our time of devastation, countless organizations and volunteers rose to the occasion to lend a helping hand.”

That spirit of resilience remains one of the most lasting memories of 2016.

For LPFPD4 Board Chairman Robert Dugas, who was there during the response and is featured in the new video, the anniversary is an opportunity to remember both the challenges and the people who rose to meet them.

“Ten years later, I still think about how our community came together when people needed help the most,” Dugas said. “We saw the very worst that a flood could bring, but we also saw the very best in people. Our firefighters, volunteers, neighbors and organizations all stepped up, and that is what I remember most.”

The flood also changed the way LPFPD4 prepared to protect the community.

In the years following the disaster, the district established a new emergency response hub, purchased three high-water vehicles, added personnel and advanced plans for additional fire station coverage. The improvements were driven in part by lessons learned during the flood and the need to be better prepared for future emergencies.

“The flood accelerated our understanding of what it takes to be prepared for a disaster of that magnitude,” Dugas said. “We learned a lot in 2016, and those lessons continue to shape how we serve and protect the people of Livingston Parish.”

Ten years later, the floodwaters are long gone, but the memories remain.

For those who lived through the disaster, the anniversary is a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, and how important it is for a community to be prepared. For those who responded, it is a reminder of why they serve.

And for Livingston Parish, it is a story of resilience. The water changed the community. But it was the people who defined its recovery.

LPFPD4 is sharing “Remembering 2016” as part of the 10-year anniversary to honor those who responded, remember those whose lives were affected and recognize the strength of a community that came together when it mattered most.