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The Harney County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that over
1,200 people were under the highest level of evacuation orders
and 18 people were using shelter spaces for displaced residents.
Authorities have opened an emergency shelter at the county
fairgrounds and RV shelters where people can park their
vehicles.
“Since March 14, 2025, Harney County and surrounding areas have
experienced historic levels of rainfall and snowmelt,
overwhelming rivers, streams, and wastewater systems,” the
Oregon Department of Emergency Management said. “Floodwaters
have inundated roadways, damaged critical infrastructure, and
introduced environmental and public health risks, including
contamination of waterways and disruption to essential
services.”
Harney County School District #3 has cancelled classes for the
week at its elementary, middle and high schools in the small
cities of Burns and Hines. The district serves some 750
students.
Drinking water is safe, but bacteria such as E. coli are present
in the floodwaters, authorities said. Officials are urging
residents to avoid floodwaters when possible, and to wear
protective equipment such as rubber boots and gloves if they
have to enter the standing water. Items worn in floodwaters
should not be worn inside the home and should be decontaminated
and washed, authorities said.
Authorities have placed portable toilets around Burns for
residents whose toilets won't flush due to sewage system
backups.
“We recognize the flooding has impacted people’s lives in
significant ways. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we
continue to work to mitigate issues, and we are grateful for
your support of one another and your first responders,” Sheriff
Dan Jenkins said.
The Burns Paiute Tribe has been providing meals and cases of
water to impacted members, and set up portable toilets and
showers. The tribe said on Facebook Wednesday that it will move
the portable toilets around the reservation for easier access.
Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on Saturday due to
the flooding, which followed rapid snowmelt in the area.
“Flooding in Harney County and on the Burns Paiute Reservation
is creating serious public health and environmental hazards that
require all hands on deck,” Kotek said earlier this week.
About 7,400 people live in vast yet sparsely populated Harney
County, which spans over 10,000 square miles (25,900 square
kilometers), an area roughly double that of the state of
Connecticut.
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