PACIFIC, Mo. – The City of Pacific began notifying residents Tuesday that major flooding from the Meramec River appears imminent. The city asked residents living in flood-prone areas to leave for higher ground by 6 a.m. Thursday.

The city plans on closing roads south of the railroad tracks and Denton Road eastward. A sandbagging operation run by volunteers started piling on the city’s commuter parking lot located off First Street. 

Residents in the affected areas were invited to come to the lot and grab sandbags to protect their homes and property. 

The city hopes residents heed the warnings because if there’s an emergency, first responders will likely be delayed in responding. 

“Because they’re going to have to potentially go through flooded waters or other routes to avoid those flooded areas,” Mayor Heather Filley said.

The city has been sharing updates through social media and is already working on plans for helping residents return to their homes after the flooding is gone.

Rick Odell was among the volunteers filling sandbags Wednesday night. He was part of the local Boy Scout troop and said their storage area was facing the threat of flooding.

“It’s going to take everybody we can get to put sandbags together, get them out, and protect as much as we can,” he said.

After working a nine-hour shift at a dental office, Vanessa Merritt joined the sandbagging effort.

“Some people are coming to just help out the community,” she said.

Pacific resident Ashley Landuyt and her husband were filling up sandbags, along with their two children.

“We asked them today if they wanted to come help the community and the people around them, and they were all for it,” she said.

Chris Nauman came to pick up sandbags to help protect American Legion Post 320. He later returned to help fill sandbags for others. 

“All we can do is push through and make the best of the situation and do what we can to mitigate it,” he said.

Pacific officials want residents affected by flooding to know the Tri-County Community Senior Center located at 800 W Union St. will be available for them Thursday beginning at 8 a.m. and will remain open through Sunday.

Additionally, Mission Community Church, 2001 W Osage St., is available Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 pm.