Enter any address in Harney County, Oregon to see its FEMA flood zone
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Harney County, Oregon has recorded 11 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 3 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1964–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Falls Fire | Fire | Jul 18, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Egley Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 8, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Dec 26, 2003 |
| Drought | Drought | Apr 29, 1977 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Dec 24, 1964 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 25, 2025 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 17, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 4, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 6, 2005 | 10K |
Flood — Mar 25, 2025
Rapid snowmelt due to warm temperatures caused the Silvies River to rise to 14.76 feet, about half a foot under the record of 15.2 feet. This caused significant flooding in and around Burns, Oregon while the river was in flood stage from March 25th through April 3rd and from April 10th through April 15th. Flooding was visible over the area between the two flood stage events and for a few days a...
Flood — Apr 1, 2025
Flooding caused by rapid snowmelt in March continued through mid-April. The Silvies river rose to 14.76 feet, about half a foot under the record of 15.2 feet, on March 29th. The water levels began to decrease, although the area remained inundated. Another warm period in mid-April allowed for the river level to begin rising again. Reaching a secondary peak of 12.58 feet on April 11th. Water drop...
Flood — Aug 4, 2023
Monsoonal moisture in tandem with a weak upper level low allowed for training storms to form over the Oregon-Nevada border. This created a lot of flooding and and making travel on dirt roads difficult.
Flood — Mar 17, 2017
Rainfall and snow melt combined to increase the flow on the Silvies River to minor flood stage.
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2013
Moist southerly flow across eastern Oregon induced severe convective activity and flash flooding over parts of Harney County, Oregon.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Harney County, Oregon:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Harney County, Oregon that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.