Volunteers fill sandbags to stop rising Mississippi RIver - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Volunteers fill sandbags to stop rising Mississippi RIver

Posted: Updated:
  • News on WMCTV.comNews

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 11:46 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:46:55 GMT
    (WMC-TV) Two people are dead and two others are wounded after a shooting at 2323 Ketchum Road, according to police.Three victims were transported to The MED by ambulance, and one other by private vehicle.Two
    Two people are dead and two others are wounded after a shooting at 2323 Ketchum Road, according to police.
  • Sunday, May 19 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:38:31 GMT
    (WMC-TV) - 18-year-old Antwion Dowdy is in custody in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old outside a graduation party in Memphis.Dowdy is charged with first-degree murder. Police say 15-year-old
    (WMC-TV) - 18-year-old Antwion Dowdy is in custody in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old outside a graduation party in Memphis.Dowdy is charged with first-degree murder. Police say 15-year-old
  • Sunday, May 19 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:18:09 GMT
    (WMC-TV) The San Antonio Spurs suffocated the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-83, in San Antonio.The Spurs neutralized forward Zach Randolph (2 pts, 7 reb) and shot 14 of 29 from beyond the arcCopyright 2013 WMC-TV
    The Grizzlies fell to the Spurs 105-83 in game one of the Western Conference Finals.
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - Hundreds of volunteers spent Friday filling sandbags in order to push back on a river that is threatening their city.

"I love my town," said Memphian Derrick Jones. "This is my hometown, born and raised, Memphis, Tennessee."

Jones took off work to help fill sandbags. He joined over 200 other volunteers at the base of the Pyramid.

"Sticking together," said Jones.

All volunteers were on a mission to fight a 100-year flood.

"It's on its way, I heard," said Jones.

Margaret Stiver was among the volunteers. Stiver is in the Navy and took off Friday for Mother's Day, but her plans quickly changed.

"My husband was going to take me somewhere and we saw the news and thought it was a little more important to come down here," said Stiver.

Last year, floodwaters took over the Navy base in Millington. Stiver said it ruined 75 percent of everything she owned.

"I'd like to see if we can help someone else avoid that," said Stiver. "Because it's not a good feeling to feel homeless and know you have nothing."

Among the volunteers was 8-year-old Dacharius Brooks.

"I think we need to fill some sandbags so the floodwaters won't flood the whole town," said Brooks.

Volunteers said they will work as long as they are needed.

Copyright 2011 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.