Harney County is among the areas hit hardest by severe flooding. Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on March 29, 2025 in response to widespread flooding in southeastern Oregon.
Courtesy of Oregon Department of Emergency Management
Over the weekend, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency due to severe flooding in southeastern Oregon.
The declaration includes Harney County and the Burns Paiute Reservation. Emergency officials say rapid snowmelt and continued rainfall have contributed to the severe flooding.
It has damaged dozens of homes, businesses and livestock areas across southeastern Oregon. The severe flooding has also inundated roads, bridges and culverts, and disrupted emergency services.
“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 in a press release. “This declaration allows the state to act swiftly to support local responders in protecting Oregonians and the things they hold dear. Conditions are evolving quickly. Please check on your neighbors, follow evacuation guidance from emergency officials, sign up for alerts at ORAlert.gov, and have a go-kit ready.”
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has deployed resources and dozens of firefighters to Harney County to help with the flooding.
We have mobilized resources to help with the flooding in Harney County. We are sending 25 people, 13 from our agency and 12 from the Oregon fire service (Colton Fire, Merrill Fire Dept., Klamath Co Fire Dist. 1, and Chiloquin Fire & Rescue).
— Oregon State Fire Marshal (@OSFM) March 31, 2025
(📷 Chiloquin Fire and Rescue)
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/YMxOpuvmdN
Earlier this month, the governor declared a state of emergency due to flooding and landslides across 10 Oregon counties. Douglas County in Southern Oregon was particularly hard hit following torrential rains in mid-March.
Officials warn additional flooding is likely as temperatures rise.
