Morrow County Emergency Management

03/24/2026

***DRILL***DRILL***THIS IS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***

***THIS CONCLUDES OUR SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE***

Thank you all for participating in this exercise and preparing Morrow County for those real world surprises.

Emergency Manager Steve Freeland would like to extend a special thank you to Sheriff Bowles, Undersheriff Snyder, Commissioner Peterson, Commissioner Sykes, Administrator Jensen, Finance Director Ince, Shelly Wight and Beth Leslie with ODHS for participating in person at the Emergency Operations Center and Tabitha Daugherty for OEM support and participating in this exercise.

***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***

03/24/2026

# # # THIS IS A DRILL # # #

Following today’s emergency at the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant, Oregon residents do not need to evacuate or take shelter in their homes and businesses. Oregon experts continue to monitor the situation and will provide regular updates.

The Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant is about 35 miles north of Umatilla, Oregon. The State of Oregon set up an Agency Operations Center at the Oregon Department of Energy in Salem as a precaution. The AOC staff is trained to respond to a nuclear incident. Governor Tina Kotek has been notified of the incident.

>>> Again, this is only a drill.

03/24/2026

# # # THIS IS A DRILL # # #

Morrow County Emergency Operations Center is currently staffed. Morrow County Emergency Management and Oregon nuclear experts are closely tracking a Site Area Emergency, which is the second-highest level of emergency, at the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant near Richland, Washington this morning.

Energy Northwest notified the State of Oregon at about 8:30 a.m. of a situation at the plant that warranted a Site Area Emergency. At this time, there is no reported release of radioactive materials.

“Oregonians do not need to take any special precautions or protective actions,” said Linda Bures, Acting Director of the Oregon Department of Energy, which conducts emergency planning for a nuclear incident. “We want people to be aware that we are monitoring the situation at the Columbia Generating Station nuclear plant closely.”

Governor Tina Kotek has been informed of the incident. The Oregon Health Authority has dispatched environmental monitoring teams to Hermiston. Oregon Department of Energy also has staff on-site at the Energy Northwest Emergency Operations Facility in Richland, Washington.

>>> Again, this is only a drill.

03/24/2026

# # # THIS IS A DRILL # # #

3-24-2026
Morrow County Emergency Management along with Morrow County Sheriff's Office and other local, state and federal partners will be conducting a SIMULATED emergency involving the Columbia Generating Station today, March 24, 2026. Our Emergency Operations Center will be activated during this exercise.
You will see some press releases on this page. Each press release will state this is only an exercise.

>>> Again, this is only a drill.

02/24/2026

***DRILL***DRILL***THIS IS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***

***THIS CONCLUDES OUR SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE***

Thank you all for participating in this exercise and preparing Morrow County for those real world surprises.

Emergency Manager Steve Freeland would like to extend a special thank you to District Manager Kevin Payne with Morrow County Soil & Water Conservation District for appearing in person and participating in this exercise.

***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***

02/24/2026

***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***

PRESS RELEASE FROM MORROW COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – in consultation with Department of Energy, State of Oregon & US Coast Guard

***PRECAUTIONARY ACTION*** IMMEDIATELY STOP ALL WATER USAGE COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE COLUMBIA RIVER Due to contamination from Columbia Generating Station in Washington State***

This would be for a minimum of 24 hours, then the situation will be re-evaluated. We are waiting on water samples at this time.
More information to follow as it becomes available.

***THIS IS DIRECTED AT MORROW COUNTY IRRIGATORS, MUNICIPALITIES & COMMERCIAL USE ONLY***(If you are using a well, you are not impacted at this time, well water is currently safe)***

***ANY AND ALL WATER RECREATION INVOLVING THE COLUMBIA RIVER IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED IN MORROW COUNTY***

If we have missed an APPROPRIATE STAKE HOLDER, please share this email.

***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***THIS IS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***PRECAUTIONARY ACTION***

***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXERCISE ONLY***DRILL***DRILL***DRILL***

02/24/2026

# # # THIS IS A DRILL # # #

2-24-2026
Morrow County Emergency Management along with Morrow County Sheriff's Office and other local, state and federal partners will be conducting a SIMULATED emergency involving the Columbia Generating Station today, February 24, 2026. Our Emergency Operations Center will be activated during this exercise.
You will see some press releases on this page. Each press release will state this is only an exercise.

Again, this is only a drill.
Steve Freeland, Emergency Manager

# # # THIS IS A DRILL # # #

01/07/2026

Morrow County Emergency Manager Steve Freeland responded to a fire in Heppner to make sure all needed resources were available. Many local agencies responded to quickly get the situation under control. (They are listed below). Great job everyone!

11/19/2025

Today the GE Sunflower Flats windmill project, in coordination with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, 911 communications center and Morrow County EMS, conducted a rescue/recovery exercise. The exercise was held at the Sunflower Flats location on windmill tower 573. The event was a great learning event for all involved. “Many thanks to Morrow County EMS Director Paul Martin, Sheriff Bowles, 911 communications center and all their teams. This was a great team building event to learn from. I appreciate everyone’s participation and coordination of another successful training event. Way to go TEAM.”
Steve Freeland, Morrow County Emergency Manager

09/11/2025

Morrow County Strong:
Emergency Preparedness Training
for Adults 60+

Free emergency preparedness training
Free 3-day emergency kit and radio
Tips and resources to keep you and your family safe.

Two different days of training:
October 22nd. 11:00am to 12:00pm (Free Lunch)
St. Patrick's Senior Center
190 N. Main St. Heppner

October 23rd. 11:00am to 12:00pm (Free Lunch)
Boardman Senior Center
100Tatone St. Boardman

Sign-up available at each senior center or by calling Morrow County Public Health at 541-676-5421 Ext. 5
If you forget to sign up, just show up on the day of the training.

09/04/2025