Governor Kotek calls on President Trump to issue disaster declaration for Harney County due to historic floods

(Update: Adding new video, comments from Governor Kotek and longtime Burns resident)

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As hard-hit Harney County begins to recover from historic floods, Governor Tina Kotek stressed the need for federal funding and urged President Donald Trump to officially declare a disaster. 

“We’re going to work on this together,” Kotek said Thursday in a media briefing with state Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) that was livestreamed by KTVZ News.  (You can watch the whole live stream above.)

The governor said she met with local officials about the efforts to get people back into their homes and temporary shelter needs while cleanup and repairs are underway. She also said they had a “long-term conversation about better flood mitigation in the future.” 

Kotek said she spoke with several of the hard-hit residents, one of whom has been at a Red Cross shelter since the first day and shared with her photos of their home. 

“It’s a really horrible feeling, to hear what people have gone through here,” she said. “We’re going to figure this out."

And she added, “There was a real sense of community and help from their neighbors.” 

Longtime Burns resident Pat McDonald was one of hundreds who had her home flooded. Though it's not the first time they've dealt with rising waters, this flood is the worst she's ever seen.

"So we sandbagged everything - it still kept breaking through. The (Silvies) River was so intense, so hard that it was breaking through."

McDonald also told KTVZ News she hopes Kotek comes up with a long-term plan, so residents don't have to deal with floods every five years or so.

Cleanup and recovery efforts continued Friday across flood-stricken areas of Burns as the community kept a watchful eye on the still-high Silvies River amid warmer conditions. 

Here's the Harney County Sheriff's Office update for Thursday:

While Harney County has shifted toward a clean-up and recovery response, we continue to monitor for any potential new flooding. The National Weather Service indicates the Silvies River gauge will continue to hover around 12 feet, minor flood stage, due to warm temperatures. Because of this, evacuation levels remain unchanged. We ask residents to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate if ordered to leave.

The reinforcement of Dike D was successfully completed earlier this week. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the large, permeable rock used in the project could allow some water leak during another high-water event, but they emphasize that Dike D remains stable and structurally sound, even if water is observed seeping through the reinforced area. Harney County extends its gratitude and the Army Corps of Engineers, and supporting contractors, for responding and reinforcing the dike in a timely and thorough manner.

Cleanup efforts following the flood are underway. Teams from the Hines Fire Department, Hines Police Department, and the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management are actively canvassing affected neighborhoods, gather essential information to effectively coordinate recovery operations.

Public health officials continue to stress the serious health risks associated with floodwaters. Residents are urged to practice caution when in flooded or previously flooded areas. We are asking the public to refrain from taking flood-contaminated debris from local dumpsters due to potential health risks.

The City of Burns' drinking water remains safe and unaffected.

On Thursday, Grocery Outlet donated approximately 140 pallets to store filled sandbags.

County Roads Update: OO Road (Double O Road) is down to one lane only.

For propane tank questions, Burns Fire Chief Scott Williamson recommends contacting Ed Staub & Sons, 429 Crane Blvd. in Burns.

For the latest information and a list of resources, including shelter, public health, road conditions and disposal information, please visit harneycountyor.gov/flood/ and our Facebook page.