Flood relief efforts in Harney County, Oregon, are in full swing, with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) joining forces with local, state, and tribal partners. The unified response comes as communities grapple with the aftermath of significant flooding that began on March 16. As detailed in a report by ODHS, a total of 37 staff members have collectively devoted over 2,683 hours to the emergency response, propelling crucial support services into the heart of the impacted areas.
ODHS efforts have included providing portable sanitation units, with 63 portable toilets and 33 handwashing stations set up, alongside three shower trailers to promote hygiene amidst the contaminated floodwaters that have posed health and safety risks. With the deployment of a 3,500-gallon water tank to Harney District Hospital, the initiative showcases an immediate response to pressing needs. According to the same ODHS report, the focus has started to shift towards recovery, with the deployment of Mass Care Response Team members assisting 60 households out of 156 doors knocked on by the Hines Fire Department for debris removal.
In addition to direct aid, ODHS has been coordinating with other organizations to facilitate the recovery process. The American Red Cross Cascades Region, Team Rubicon, various faith-based groups, and the Harney Hub have been crucial in these efforts. The Harney County Emergency Operations Center has become a nexus for this collaboration, where OREM staff are working to connect people with the recovery services they need. Ed Flick, Director of OREM, told ODHS, "As much of our focus now shifts to clean-up and long-term recovery, OREM remains ready to respond if flooding resumes."
Another integral aspect of the response has been working with the Burns Paiute Tribe, who has faced hardships due to a sewage outage affecting their reservation and parts of the City of Burns. This collaboration has been bolstered by additional resources from the Oregon Health Authority, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Services, and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. "We are committed to working in partnership with the Burns Paiute Tribe and ensuring that support is coordinated, respectful, and responsive to the community’s needs not just in the moments of crisis, but for the long-term," stated Eli Grove, ODHS OREM Tribal Emergency Coordinator, as reported by ODHS.
