Burns flood update: Evacuation levels lowered as floodwaters recede, but Silvies River expected to rise again soon

(Update: Adding Red Cross info)

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Evacuation levels have been lowered for some areas in and around Burns as water levels continue to recede near the Silvies River after days of devastating, historic flooding, officials said Friday..

First responders noted in Friday's update that the water level has dropped about four feet in some previously flooded areas.

Here's the rest of Friday's full news release from the Harney County Sheriff's Office:

Evacuation zones are available for review on the Harney County website.

Emergency managers continue to stress that the Silvies River is expected to rise early next week, again, above flood stage, as temperatures rise and snowmelt is likely to increase. They noted that evacuation levels may change at any time, and residents are urged to be ready to leave the area again.

As residents return to their homes and properties, public health officials urge people to be cautious and stay away from floodwaters. Health officials say test results show harmful bacteria is present in the water. Emergency cleanup supplies are available at the Distribution of Emergency Supplies location: 320 Snow Mountain Pine Lane, Hines, OR 97738, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.

• Do not allow your children to play in the water and keep your pets away.
• If you must enter the water, please ensure you are wearing personal protective equipment, such as rubber boots, gloves, waders and goggles to minimize exposure.
• Surfaces that were once wet may also contain mold and other harmful contaminants.
• When you exit, ensure you decontaminate and wash your clothing.
• Keep items worn in flood waters separate from other clothing/items and don't wear your shoes/boots from the flooded waters into your home.
• Do not dump sewage into the floodwaters.

For a full checklist of flood cleanup recommendations, please visit our website: harneycountyor.gov/flood/. Floodwaters will continue to be tested by public health officials.

On Friday, volunteers were passing out self-damage assessment forms. They will be going door-to-door in the impacted areas, and they will be at the Harney Hub, Safeway and Grocery Outlet.

The Burns Police Department urges the public to be cautious about contracting restoration companies and donating money to unreliable, unverified accounts, such as fake GoFundMe pages. When natural disasters occur, it's common to find people who want to take advantage of survivors by posing as official disaster aid workers or creating fake donation pages.

With support from local contractors, the Army Corps of Engineers continues to reinforce the Dike D levee. The work is on schedule and is expected to be completed by Monday. Gravel operations on Dike D are continuing, and Harney County is exploring options for dike improvements.

Sandbags are available for residents at the Hines Public Works Department and other stockpile locations throughout the community. As of Thursday evening, several thousand bags were available.

“Lowering evacuation levels is welcome news for those displaced from their homes,” Sheriff Dan Jenkins said Friday. “I am proud of the dedication of our first responders, health officials and public works crews to ensure public safety, and the many community members who have stepped up to help one another during this challenging time.

"Our community must remain vigilant, though. The flooding threat remains. If evacuation orders change, please follow the orders to avoid putting yourself and first responders at risk. We will recover, we are a resilient community, it’s who we are.”

Shelter locations will remain open, and community-supported feeding options are now available at the Harney County Fairgrounds and the Harney Hub.

• Lunch: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
• Dinner: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

HCSO continues to update a full resource webpage on its website: harneycountyor.gov/flood/

Additional information and resources:

• Drinking water remains safe. The City of Burns' drinking water is not affected by the flooding or any other complications due to the flooding. It is safe to drink.
• Law enforcement officers continue to maintain a highly visible presence. There have been no reports of theft or looting. If a community member sees something suspicious, they’re encouraged to call police.
• Law enforcement will conduct extra patrols on public lands for anyone who may be illegally dumping flood debris.
• Public health officials continue to work to ensure the health of all residents. Floodwaters will be tested until bacteria levels are considered safe.
• City of Springfield officials are working with the City of Burns to address hazardous waste concerns and find locations to properly dispose of the materials.
• The Region 14 Hazmat Team from Ontario, OR responded to Harney County, yesterday April 3, 2025, to support the Burns Fire Department. Two hours of monitoring was conducted complete with air and water sampling. The sampling determined that the air did not have harmful levels and water samples came back without concern (NOTE: This is different testing than the bacteria being tested in flood waters). Absorbent booms were placed in the flood waters to skim oil off the top.
• The City of Burns sewer system remains overwhelmed. Crews are working around the clock to mitigate issues. Public Works continues working on the bypass and some headway is being made as some residents are no longer impacted.
• County road repair will start as water recedes from those areas, but remain unsafe for travel.
• Plans for debris removal and instructions are being coordinated – released in future update.

Sheltering

The Harney County Fairgrounds continues to operate one indoor and one outdoor shelter. All displaced residents, including Burns Paiute Tribal members, are welcome. The shelters are being staffed by American Red Cross volunteers.

• Pets are welcome but should be kept in a kennel when indoors. Stalls are available at the fairgrounds for livestock. RVs are welcomed at the site as outdoor space permits
• As of Thursday night, 13 people were utilizing publicly available shelter spaces.
• The American Red Cross advises that current shelter options can accommodate up to 50 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Red Cross distributed emergency supplies to residents.
• Others, not at the Red Cross Shelter are staying in other approved areas.

Road Closures (April 4):

In Burns:

• Railroad Avenue where it intersects with S. Egan Avenue and W. Fillmore Street
• Riverside Drive: due to damages/washout from flooding

In the county:

• Embree Bridge Lane and Oil Well Road at Highway 78
• Island Ranch Road at Highway 205 (expected to reopen later this week)
• Foley Drive is now OPEN

For a full list of resources, please visit our website: harneycountyor.gov/flood/. We also continue to post updates to our Facebook page.

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Red Cross Provides Flood Relief Services in Harney County
American Red Cross - Cascades Region - 04/04/25 1:30 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(BURNS, OR) April 4, 2025 Our hearts go out to all Harney County residents who continue to deal with the effects of widespread flooding and who are bracing for the potential for more flooding. The American Red Cross wants to make sure that no one faces this heartbreaking crisis alone.  Below are the ways we are supporting this disaster relief response.

SERVICES:

The Red Cross has a shelter set up at the Harney County Fairgrounds at 69660 S. Egan Rd., Burns.  We are providing services to residents inside the shelter and to people who come in RVs and park outside the shelter.  So far, we’ve provided 86 overnight stays and continue to staff the shelter 24/7.

We have the capacity for 50 people inside and 60 outside and still have room for those who need to come.

Everyone is welcome and you do NOT have to stay in our shelters to receive our services.  Anyone who needs support services, information, or a warm meal can stop by the Harney County Fairgrounds or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

We have opened a site to distribute clean up kits at 320 Snow Mountain Lane, Hines OR.  We will be there daily from 9am to 4pm.

Cleanup kits that include: 

• One mop
• One squeegee
• Two brooms, different sizes
• Two handles to use with mop/brooms/squeegee
• One scrub brush
• One sponge
• One mask
• One pair leather work gloves
• One pair blue nitrile gloves
• Three heavy-duty trash bags
• One quart bottle highly concentrated Bully II hard surface cleaner/degreaser

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

The best way to support the work we are doing is by making a financial contribution. You can do so by going to www.RedCross.org/Cascades  or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).  The Red Cross cannot accept clothing, items or home cooked food. 

Interested in volunteering?  Join us! Go to www.RedCross.org/volunteer  and sign up.