Written by Isabel Anderson, Regional Communications Manager

In August of 2024, Burns Oregon was hit with devastating wildfires and with the damage from that still visible, Burns is now facing another disaster with record breaking floods. With over 568 residences that have been evacuated, some residents are seeking refuge at the Red Cross shelter located at Harney County Fairgrounds.

As part of the Red Cross response, volunteers perform disaster assessments on all homes impacted to determine the amount of aid they require. Judy Martin, a Red Cross volunteer, assessed damaged homes on tribal land with members of the Burns Paiute Tribe who know the lands like the back of their hands. Judy has been volunteering with the Red Cross since 2017 and deployed numerous times to help with disasters of all types and sizes. She flew from her remote cabin in Alaska when she heard about the need for help in Burns. When asked about her experience assessment damages, she explains, “It’s a double edged sword because you have the one half thinking of this family whose life has been totally uprooted and the other there’s excitement that I could help. There’s a dismay and excitement at the same time”

Tracy Kennedy, is a member of Burns Paiute Tribe, and joined the Red Cross to help identify homes and make assessments. This tightknit community is small – so small that when asked if she knew anyone directly affected by the floods, Tracy replied, “Everybody”. Without hesitation, Tracy knew that she would step up. She was raised on these lands and the goal is to “get everybody back in their home safely”. Tracy knows that although not every house sustained major damage from the floods, “the sewer system is still out so no flushing toilets, no taking showers,” she says.

Charisse Soucie, another Burns Paiute Tribe member, walked us around her son’s house which had sustained major damage to the yard, and explained how much he cares for his house, “He won’t leave his house. He won’t leave his horses”.

Assessing the damage of the homes is just the beginning of this disaster response. They, and we, know this recovery could take some time.

If you would like to contribute to the Red Cross mission, please visit redcross.org/donate to make a financial contribution.