St. Louis, MO  (KTRS)  The city of St. Louis is under a weather emergency.

Mayor Francis Slay issued that executive order on Monday in response to rising flood waters. The declaration activates the City’s Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response among City departments and services, along with outside partner agencies, such as MSD, Ameren, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the United Way.

River levels are expected to quickly crest by Thursday to 44.8 feet, which would be second only to the historic Flood of ’93. City crews have closed 36 flood gates along the Mississippi River and have begun a 24-hour watch along both the Mississippi River and the River Des Peres to monitor and quickly act upon signs of distress, such as boils.

Meanwhile, the city needs volunteers for sandbagging operations. Interested volunteers should wear boots and gloves and report to the River Des Peres Park parking lot adjacent to Fultz Baseball Field beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday.