Medford, OR — A Christmas Eve storm brought more than just holiday cheer to some residents of Medford, as heavy rainfall overnight caused severe flooding in local neighborhoods. The flooding, particularly on Sunset Avenue, was described by residents as the worst in years, with water levels rising dramatically around 1 a.m.
“I haven’t seen anything like this since the ’90s,” said one resident, surveying the damage early Christmas morning. Another neighbor added, “This field looked like a river when I showed up just before 9 a.m.”
The swift rise in water left residents scrambling to protect their homes, but the community quickly came together to help. Jerry Thompson, a Sunset Avenue resident, shared how neighbors supported each other during the crisis. “Everybody was out, checking on each other and backing each other up with sandbags,” Thompson said. “We’re kind of a little cubbyhole back here, but everybody has each other’s backs.”
Emergency response teams were quick to arrive on the scene. Fire crews and road maintenance workers began working around 1 a.m. to pump water and clear blocked roadways. “There were more flashing lights than just the ones on your Christmas tree,” Thompson remarked, referencing the fire trucks and other emergency vehicles that worked through the night to manage the floodwaters.
West Second Street, another area in Medford, also saw significant flooding. Residents there explained that the area is particularly prone to flooding during heavy rain events. “Any time we get more than an inch of rain, we’re going to see flooding here,” one local said.
While the flooding caught many by surprise, the quick actions of both neighbors and emergency crews helped to minimize further damage. Local officials continue to monitor the situation, but many residents are hopeful that their community’s resilience will help them recover quickly from the unexpected holiday disaster.