The National Weather Service in Medford is advising residents of potential flooding conditions mixed with heavy wind gusts in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

The flood advisory first issued Wednesday and reissued Friday as a watch warns residents in Jackson, Josephine, Douglas and Coos counties in southwestern Oregon, and Siskiyou County, California, of significant rises on rivers and streams due to moderate to heavy rain expected through the weekend.

In Jacksonville, the city is offering free sandbags to help prevent flooding and protect property, according to a Facebook post. Sand, shovels and bags are located in the parking lot of the Jacksonville Dog Park and are available for self-service.

Talent also is offering free sandbags, according to a Facebook post by the city’s police department. 

“The sand, shovels and bags are located in the alley north of Talent Public Works. The best way to access the sandbag station is off of Wintersage Circle,” the post said.

Sandbags are self-service, Talent PD said.

According to the weather service, a series of wet frontal systems will produce periods of moderate to heavy rain through the weekend, especially Saturday, Dec. 28.

Precipitation totals through Sunday, Dec. 29, could reach up to 5 inches in west side valleys, with 5 to 10 inches of rain possible in the mountains and along the coast. The Oregon Coast already is under a high surf warning.

To check for updates from NWS-Medford, visit weather.gov/mfr.

When asked about the flooding potential and how it compares to the 1997 New Year’s Day flooding in and around Ashland, “I wouldn’t compare anything with that,” said Joe Guerrero, lead meteorologist for NWS in Medford, adding residents should still be mindful of potential flooding.

“A good thing for the public to remember is to take the warnings seriously and never drive through standing water; turn around, don’t drown,” Guerrero said. “It doesn’t take much water to move a car; 6 inches of water can move an SUV.”

“Flooding kills a lot of people every year, more people than tornadoes do,” he added.

According to NWS-Medford, this year’s water year has yielded more rain than the average, and much more than last year’s quantity.

“Since Oct. 21 there’s been 8.64 inches of rain in Medford; for this time period, the normal amount is 6.73 inches, which is 1.91 inches above normal,” Guerrero said. “Compared to last year’s 4.99 inches, it’s over 3 inches.”

The weather service will continue checking its radar and weather gauges scattered throughout Jackson County and warning people of any flash flooding, heavy winds or weather events.

“We want folks to be safe,” Guerrero said.

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a flood watch from 10 a.m. Saturday through Sunday afternoon for large portions of Southern Oregon and Northern California.

The entire Rogue Valley is included in the watch, according to NWS-Medford. It lasts until 4 p.m. Sunday.

See the latest here.

See previous coverage below.