WATSON — One Watson family helped hundreds of neighbors escape their homes during the Flood of 2016 and said the lessons learned in that disaster are still being utilized a decade later.

Over the years, Jodi and Dana Rushing found that, for them, it is better to give than to receive.

"We're used to being the ones who help others," Jodi said.

When the Flood of 2016 swept through their Watson neighborhood off Bend Road, the Rushings found themselves in a familiar position, helping their neighbors get to safety.

The floodwaters helped the Rushing's learn to rely on others. Random strangers, as well as friends, showed up in the middle of the disaster with meals and a helping hand to tear down water-soaked walls and start to rebuild.

"My brother [shop-vacuuming] the sheetrock and insulation residue out of the front yard, the things people did for us that were such blessings for us," Jodi said.

Dana, a home contractor and builder, said the knowledge learned from the flood helped when Hurricane Helene hit Tennessee. The Rushings traveled to the state to help Dana's brother when his home went underwater and needed to be gutted from water damage.

"It's good when you can help someone else with that knowledge," Dana said.

New building codes in Livingston Parish have been put in place that require new homes to be built two feet above base flood elevation.

"I'm building my daughter's house now, under the new rules. Under the new rules, she would not have flooded," Dana said.

Through it all, the family said, faith and support from their community lifted them when flood waters could have sunk them.

"Pay it forward, to help someone else when they're in need, and when they don't even know they're in need. It's the small kindnesses, small things we can do," Jodi said.