Local News

Warm Springs Flooding

Posted on by sue.matters
19
Dec

AFTERNOON UPDATE 12/19/25 4pm

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Emergency Management conveyed a meeting this morning (12/19/25) at 9 AM involving Public Safety, Utilities, Health & Human Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service and other partners to discuss the flooding situation on the Warm Springs Reservation.

Discussion included plans for any threatened homes along Shitike Creek and the campers at Elmer Quinn Park – who all evacuated.  There is an Emergency Operation Plan for flooding and all other potential emergency situations.  Whenever an evacuation is needing, the primary location for a shelter, according to the Tribes’ Emergency Plan is the Community Center.  The back up shelter is the old school cafeteria.

Community Health was updating their list of elders & individuals with health-related needs.  This list is kept current especially during snowy winter months when Utilities and contractors plow out driveways to facilitate access for emergency purposes and to enable health appointments to be kept.

As the water recedes, Public Utilities will be inspecting, water and wastewater infrastructure but as of this morning, there were no apparent concerns.  The water treatment plant did halt operations mid-morning due to water turbidity, however there is plenty of water in storage tanks.

Flooding appears to be subsiding and the National Weather Service Flood Watch expires at 4pm this afternoon.  There is a 30% chance of rain for Warm Springs this evening with mostly sunny skies tomorrow.  The snow level will lower to 2200 feet overnight.

The Branch of Natural Resources did say there is a need to make improvements for water flow higher up in the Shitike watershed.  Shitike Creek originates North of Mt Jefferson in the Cascade Range.

 

MORNING UPDATE 7am

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Warm Springs Reservation until 10am this morning (12/19/25).  (see below)

Water is high at Elmer Quinn and the Museum at Warm Springs with a significant streamflow from Shitike Creek pushing through those areas from the swollen creek, a result of heavy rain.

  • Shitike Creek Road is closed.
  • The Museum at Warm Springs will remain closed today.
  • Composite Products sent workers home and is closed today.

Local bridges are being assessed due to the high water this morning.

He He Longhouse is also surrounded by water from overflow of the Warm Springs River.

Travelers on the Beaver Creek Grade should stay alert for any rock fall or downed trees due to the ongoing rain.

Warm Springs Emergency Management and the CTWS Branch of Natural Resources is monitoring the flooding.  Everyone is urged to avoid flooded areas for safety reasons.

 

Flash Flood Warning
ORC031-191800-
/O.NEW.KPDT.FF.W.0002.251219T0606Z-251219T1800Z/
/00000.U.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
1006 PM PST Thu Dec 18 2025

The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Heavy Rain and a Log Jam in...
  Northwestern Jefferson County in central Oregon...

* Until 1000 AM PST Friday.

* At 1006 PM PST, Gauge reports indicated heavy rain was creating
  very high streamflows. Additionally, the Warm Springs Reservation
  Emergency manager is reporting that water is backing up behind a
  log jam upstream of Warm Springs. If the log jam fails, flooding
  will increase significantly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding from heavy rain and snowmelt along with
           a log jam that may fail suddenly.

  SOURCE...Gauges and Emergency Management reported.

  IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other
           drainage and low lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Southern Warm Springs Reservation and Warm Springs.

Flooding is occurring along the Shitike Creek. Flooding has begun
begin at Warm Springs and will peak around 1 AM, then decrease Friday morning
sue.matters