Flood warning extended in Harney County

Emergency officials are reminding residents in Harney County to stay alert and prepared as flood concerns continue.

The National Weather Service extended its flood warning for the Silvies River near Burns until further notice. The next update is expected Wednesday afternoon.

Rapid snowmelt and heavy rains caused severe flooding in Harney County, along with parts of southeast Oregon and the Burns Paiute Reservation, over the weekend.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency earlier this week as reports of overflown waterways and wastewater systems rolled in. Dozens of homes and businesses have been damaged over the past several days.

Related: Gov. Tina Kotek declares emergency in Southeastern Oregon due to severe flooding

Brandon McMullen, the planning director for Harney County, said flooding typically happens during this time of year as seasonal snowmelt and rainfall make their way through the Silvies Valley drainage system, including the Silvies River Watershed.

But this year’s continual rains and increased snowpack have led to this major flooding event, he said.

“We have the largest amount of snowpack that we’ve had in decades,” said McMullen.

Warmer temperatures and a burn scar from last summer’s Falls Fire also contributed to quicker snowmelt and severe flooding.

Harney County Sheriff Dan Jenkins, who grew up in the county, said he couldn’t remember ever seeing a flood this bad. As of Tuesday night, hundreds of people remained under multiple evacuation levels for parts of the county, including those living in northern and eastern Burns.

“Things have improved, but the prediction is warmer weather is coming,” Jenkins said. “We’ll get another surge of water probably by the weekend or during the weekend and into next week, because we have a record amount of snowpack up in the hills still to come down.”

The sheriff’s office is warning people to stay outside of the flood zones and not to return to their homes until it’s safe to do so and evacuation levels have been lifted.

According to the NWS, river levels will gradually start declining Thursday, dropping below flood stage. But forecasters warn flooding impacts will likely continue into next week.

Lodi Presley, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, also warned people to stay out of the water as it likely contains several contaminants including sewage waste, petroleum oils and other unknown debris.

While drinking water remains safe, flood waters collected Monday tested positive for E. Coli and other coliform, according to the sheriff’s office.

The county is continuing to test the flood water and is urging people who do come in contact with it to wash their hands and practice good hygiene. Portable toilets and hand washing stations have been placed around the city of Burns for residents impacted by the sewage-system backups.

The American Red Cross is offering shelter and other services to those affected by the flooding, at the Harney County Fairgrounds at 69660 S. Egan Road in Burns.

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“We also have a space outside for RVs,” said Rebecca Marshall, a spokesperson for the Red Cross Cascades Region. “We have room for more people inside and outside, and are making accommodations for pets in crates inside with evacuees. We know there could be more flooding in the days to come so we are continuing to staff our shelter and respond accordingly.”

Assistance and resources from various state and local agencies like the Red Cross, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office have helped Harney County deputies better respond to a rapidly evolving situation, said Jenkins and Presley.

“Harney County is a pretty resilient county as a whole,” Presley said. “Just seeing the community members come together has been amazing.”