Monday’s Harney County Flooding Update: Evac. levels, resources, & more
By Logan Bagett on Monday, March 31st, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
BURNS – UPDATE – Find the latest updates on flooding in Harney County below:
From Harney County School District #3:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2025, 12:30 pm
No School April 1, 2025, Harney County School District #3 (Burns HS, Hines MS, Slater Elementary)
Due to continued extensive flooding and possible health and safety risks associated with flooding, Harney County School District #3 schools will not be in session on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The district is carefully monitoring the situation and supporting the flood relief efforts in this emergency. Hines Middle School will now be the showering facility, and towels and hygiene products will be available. The facility will be open from noon to 8 pm March 31, 2025, and April 1, 2025. The handicapped entrance is on the north side of the gym, and all others enter the south gym entrance. Staff will be available to help anyone needing assistance.
Optional sports participation continues for students who can participate.
We will be making updates day by day as school is a priority.
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From the Harney County Senior Center: The Harney County Senior Center will be closing, except for the Meals on Wheels program and the Dial-a-Ride Bus program. Harney County Seniors in need can call 573-6024, or visit the Harney County Fairgrounds and see the Red Cross volunteers.
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From HCSO: 3/31/25 9:55 AM
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒-
Island Ranch Road is closed at Hwy 205
Embree Bridge Ln & Oil Well Road at Hwy 78
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City of Hines, 3/31: ROAD CLOSURE – East Barnes Avenue is CLOSED from Hwy 20 to Ogden Avenue for the sand bagging efforts. Those needing sand bags, please use NE Circle Drive from Hwy 20. See the attached map.
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From Ed Staub & Son’s: Residents who are in evacuation zones and have propane service are asked to shut off their propane tanks before leaving. Bulk Plant Manager Craig Neher noted that, “And if shut off, contact your provider for an inspection to ensure your safety.”
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From HCSO: “If you live in the City of Burns we are asking that you conserve water as much as possible. Homes have their pipes backing up.”
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From Tribal Transit: “The Tribal Transit bus will run from upper housing, to Safeway, Grocery Outlet, Armory and Laundry Mat in Hines, Oregon & Post office. You can call the bus phone at 541-413-0057.”
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(3/31 @ 8:00 a.m.) FROM ODOT: U.S. 20 is now open between the intersection of U.S. 395/Fry Road and Monroe Street in Burns. Crews remain on-site to monitor road conditions affected by high water. Please exercise caution, watch for flaggers, and reduce your speed while traveling in this area. Be alert for potential flooding and debris on the roads.
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The Harney County Sheriff’s Office reports that flood response continues across Harney County with strong collaboration between public agencies and the community.
Two swift water rescue teams from Deschutes County have arrived and are actively assisting local teams. Crews completed multiple boat rescues yesterday, helping evacuate residents from flooded areas safely.
Taking a look at the latest evacuation levels, upgraded yesterday to a Level 3, GO NOW zone is the entire section of Burns east of Broadway Ave to Koa, but south of Riverside, north of Highway 78. Residents should leave immediately. In a level 2, is the area south of Highway 78, down S Date to Clemens Ranch, and east to the city/county line. That includes S Gordonia. Residents in this zone should begin preparing now to evacuate.
Residents in need of temporary shelter may park RVs at the Hines City Park and Harney County Fairgrounds in designated areas.
An emergency community shelter has been set up at the Memorial Building at the Harney County Fairgrounds. Portable toilets and handwashing stations are available.
For folks needing showers, the Burns High School will be open today from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Towels are available at the school. Harney School District #3 has cancelled school today.
**Photo from Harney County Sheriff’s Office**
Find the latest evacuation updates and more, below:
(From the Harney County Sheriff’s Office)
𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐩:
Check your current zone here: https://bit.ly/4j8ixWK
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬: https://protect.genasys.com/
𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞: 541-589-0112
Please only call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
3/30/2025 4:30 PM
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐙𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 & 𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 𝐇𝐈𝐇-𝟎𝟏𝟕-𝐁 (𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟐)
𝐔𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟐:
• The area south of Highway 78, down S Date to Clemens Ranch and east to the city/county line (includes S Gordonia)
Residents in this zone should begin preparing now to evacuate.
If you need extra time, medical assistance, or support for animals or transportation, consider relocating early.
𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫:
Memorial Building at the Harney County Fairgrounds
RV/Campers: Hines Park & Harney County Fairgrounds (see earlier post with full details)
Portable toilets and handwashing stations available (both at the fairgrounds and Harney County Library)
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝:
Genasys Alerts: https://protect.genasys.com/
Evacuation Map: http://bit.ly/4j8ixWK
𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟓𝟒𝟏-𝟓𝟖𝟗-𝟎𝟏𝟏𝟐
Please only call 911 if experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
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3/30/25 3:10PM
Due to increased flood waters, evacuation levels have again been increased today. The situation is fluid and changing frequently, please stay vigilant and aware.
𝐔𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑:
• The entire section east of Broadway Ave to Koa (but south of Riverside), north of Highway 78
𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑 (𝐆𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐰): Residents should evacuate immediately. Danger to the area is current or imminent, and leaving now is the safest option. If you choose to ignore this advice, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further.
𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫:
Memorial Building at the Harney County Fairgrounds
Portable toilets and handwashing stations available
RV/Campers: Hines Park and Harney County Fairgrounds (see post with full details)
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝:
Genasys Alerts: https://protect.genasys.com/
Evacuation Map: http://bit.ly/4j8ixWK
𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟓𝟒𝟏-𝟓𝟖𝟗-𝟎𝟏𝟏𝟐
Please only call 911 if experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
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