The cities of St Joseph and Rock Port still need volunteers to fill sandbags in advance of rising Missouri River releases.

The City of Rock Port is asking that anyone 16 years of age or older and who can do some heavy lifting please come to the Rock Port water plant on Hwy 136 beginning at 5PM each day through Sunday to assist with sandbagging.

You should be willing and able to commit to increments of at least 2 hours Please refrain from bringing children under the age of 16 to the sandbagging site

St Joseph sandbagging operations continue: the city needs 250,000 on hand to protect the city from rising river levels.

The Missouri Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing is conducting 24-hour operations on 8-hour shifts, and will do so until Sunday evening.   City crews are also conducting sandbagging operations to reach the required number of sandbags. Prisoners from WRDDC and the women’s prison in Chillicothe are also filling sandbags for the city.

Officials say they still need volunteers. Operations run from 7am to 7pm through Sunday evening, June 12th.

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph will be serving as the initial point of contact for individuals and groups wishing to volunteer. Those interested should call the United Way office at 816.364.2381 or www.stjosephunitedway.org for opportunities.

Volunteer Coordinator Carol Flury says you can just show up at the work site as well. It’s located south of Sixth and Atchison in the Rent-All parking lot.

Yust be 16 years old Must show photo id when signing in at sandbagging site. You should wear appropriate clothing including close-toed shoes and gloves.

On Thursday, 38-prisoners from the women’s prison in Chillicothe were hard at work at the City Yard using an automated device to fill sandbags. Prisoners from WRDDC in St Joe worked at the 6th and Atchison site, where a number of volunteers were also hard at work.