Remembering the 1964 Christmas Day Flood on the Rogue River

A Historic Storm That Shaped Southern Oregon

The Christmas Flood of 1964 is remembered as one of the most severe rainstorms in Oregon history. Between December 17, 1964, and January 7, 1965, a series of powerful storms pummeled Oregon, Northern California, and parts of Washington, Idaho, and Nevada.

The combination of:

• Heavy rainfall (up to 15 inches within 24 hours),

• Frozen ground from early December cold snaps, and

• Rapid snowmelt

created catastrophic runoff, erosion, and flooding.

The devastation was immense: 19 people lost their lives, 4,000 head of livestock perished, and highways, bridges, and communities across the state were destroyed, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

Morrisons Lodge and the Rogue River Flood

Here on the Rogue River, streamflows reached record-breaking levels—peaking at nearly 6 million cubic feet per second.

For Morrisons Lodge, the timing was precarious. The Hanten family had just purchased the property earlier in 1964 and had begun transforming it into the guiding business and riverside lodge that still welcomes guests today.

• The main lodge building survived thanks to its solid construction, strong foundation, and protection from surrounding cottonwood trees.

• The cabins were swept away, destroyed by the sheer force of the flooding river.

Despite the devastation, the Hanten family secured a disaster loan, rebuilt the cabins (this time on stilts for protection), and carried forward the vision of creating a welcoming home for Rogue River adventurers.

The Legacy of Resilience

Though there is little visible evidence of the flood today, photographs of the lodge surrounded by high water remain a powerful reminder of nature’s force.

The Christmas Flood didn’t end the dream—it strengthened it. Thanks to perseverance, Morrisons Lodge continues to thrive as a basecamp for rafting, fishing, and hiking on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River.

👉 Learn more about the history of Morrisons Lodge and explore our Rogue River trips that keep this legacy alive.

Things to Know About the 1964 Christmas Flood

• The event wasn’t a single-day storm, but a series of systems lasting over three weeks.

• The Rogue River’s extreme flow in 1964 remains one of the highest recorded in the U.S.

• Cabin reconstruction after the flood shaped the current layout of Morrisons Lodge.

• The story is an important chapter in the history of both Southern Oregon and the Rogue River community.

FAQs About the 1964 Christmas Day Flood

When did the Christmas Flood of 1964 occur?
The storms lasted from December 17, 1964, to January 7, 1965, with peak flooding around Christmas Day.

What caused the flood to be so severe?
A combination of record rainfall, frozen ground that prevented absorption, and rapid snowmelt created extreme runoff and flooding.

Is there evidence of the flood today?
Most visible damage has long since disappeared, but historic photos of the lodge during the flood are preserved as a reminder.