Harney County flooding cleanup and repair efforts continue, more Silvies River flooding possible

Repair and cleanup efforts continue in Harney County, after the Silvies River levee failed last week and flooded large swaths of the county.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local contractors continue to reinforce the Dike D levee with rocks. They hoped to have repairs completed Monday.

Lodi Presley with the Harney County Sheriff’s Office said crews are now pivoting away from the initial emergency response.

“We’ve kind of shifted locally to somewhat of a recovery and cleanup response,” she said. “Getting things lined up for debris disposal.”

Related: Flooding in southeastern Oregon prompts evacuation orders, school closures and health concerns

The Red Cross reported that 11 people stayed overnight at the fairgrounds emergency shelter over the weekend. Local schools have also been opened to give people somewhere to shower.

Paul Ward, a cook at Bella Java Bistro in Burns, said scores of people were flooded out of their homes, including his parents.

“The floors are all going to need to be replaced,” Ward said. “The drywall just wicks it up. So, like, my Mom’s house had 6 inches of water in it, but the drywall is like a big sponge so it gets wet 4 feet above the floor.”

He said his cousin’s house was also flooded, but the community has pulled together to help.

“We’ve seen lots of people that weren’t affected, with their house on high ground or whatever, and they’ve volunteered down at the fairgrounds to fill sandbags,” Ward said.

While snowmelt was largely to blame for the flooding, rain continues in the area. The Silvies River is expected to reach flood stage again early this week.

“It changes every time I look at it,” Presley said. “But most recently, the National Weather Service was forecasting flood stage by Tuesday afternoon.”

Evacuation levels have been lowered for some areas of Harney County. First responders have seen water levels drop 4 feet in some areas. But some parts of Burns are still under a Level 2 evacuation order – that means people should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

As residents return to their homes, public health officials are urging them to stay away from floodwaters, which contain harmful bacteria.

Police are also telling people to be cautious about hiring restoration businesses and donating money to unverified accounts, such as fake GoFundMe pages.

“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,” Sheriff Dan Jenkins said Friday. “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.”

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

Authorities are assuring people that drinking water in Burns remains safe. While the city’s sewer system was overwhelmed, crews are working to mitigate the problem.

Local police are maintaining a visible presence, but there have been no reports of theft or looting. They will also be conducting extra patrols on public lands to prevent illegally dumping of flood debris.

As flood waters recede, the county is warning that some roads may be unsafe because they’re covered with mud and debris. But crews are working to reopen them.

Harney County Fairgrounds continues to operate one indoor and one outdoor shelter. Pets are welcome but should be kept in a kennel indoors. Stalls are available for livestock. RVs are also welcome at the site.

Organizers of the 2025 Harney County Migratory Bird Festival, one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area, say it’s still scheduled for April 10 -13. But flooding could force them to cancel.