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Deschutes County officials are intensifying search efforts at Dillon Falls after a rafting accident left one person still missing.

 

Specialized swift water teams, drones, and cadaver dogs are currently deployed along the Deschutes River.

 

Authorities announced a temporary river flow reduction from August 1 to 4, giving search teams safer access to hazardous zones.

 

The July 19 tragedy occurred when six rafters went over Dillon Falls’ notorious 15-foot Class 5 drop—three survived, while Amanda Loyd of Texas and Lindsay Bashan of Florida were found deceased.

 

The identity of the missing individual remains withheld until recovery and family notification. K-9 units have detected human scent beneath the falls, focusing searches upriver.

 

As the community mourns, local officials urge everyone to respect river conditions, use life vests, and avoid risky behavior on the water.

 

The sheriff’s office asks for public support and patience as efforts continue to bring closure to affected families.

Powerful thunderstorms swept through Bend, Oregon on Saturday evening, unleashing heavy rain, thunder, and lightning that caused power outages across multiple neighborhoods.

 

The storms struck around sunset, prompting weather alerts and keeping emergency crews and Pacific Power teams active into the night.

 

In Southwest Bend, more than 390 residents lost power, while a separate outage near NE 18th Street and Cooley Road affected approximately 90 customers.

 

Pacific Power expects to restore electricity to most areas by midnight, with some neighborhoods regaining service sooner.

 

No serious injuries or significant property damage have been reported, but authorities recommend staying indoors during lightning and preparing for further disruptions as storms continue.

 

Recent months have brought several outages to Bend, including incidents caused by wildfire prevention settings and wildlife.

 

Residents are urged to stay informed, report outages, and review emergency plans as weather patterns remain unpredictable.