Peru, Nebraska - Community members, Peru State students, faculty and staff filled sandbags during the day on Monday as the Missouri River continued to rise. More than 120 students and a total of 160 volunteers contributed to the effort.

The City of Peru declared an emergency Thursday evening as flooding along the Missouri river was forecasted to reach record levels. The City also advised the community that sandbags would be necessary to protect key components of the City's water supply.

Sandbags were used to protect the water treatment plant, a lift station and a well in Peru. Floodwaters would have contaminated the water supply.

Darrin Reeves, mayor of Peru, said that more than 8000 sandbags were filled. He also expressed his appreciation for everyone that came out to help with sandbag efforts.

 id="attachment_14354" align="" width="300"Sandbags are loaded on a trailer in the foreground of the photo. Several members of the Peru community are working behidn them. Community members, including Peru State students, faculty and staff, work to fill and load sandbags. id="attachment_14351" align="" width="300"Maddy and Keaundra were wearing hoodies and gloves. Members of the Women's Basketball Team, Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) and Keaundra Washington (Omaha), fill sandbags. id="attachment_14353" align="" width="300"White and brown sandbags are being placed in the back of a trailer. Members of the Peru State football team work with faculty and staff to load sandbags. From left to right: Deshawn Phelps (Austin, TX); Ben Sode (Clermont, FL); Victor Hubbard (Corinth, TX); Dr. Frank Lynott (Nebraska City); Brent Melvin (Peru); and Dr. Jesse Dorman (Nebraska City).