Oregon Public Broadcasting

A brief and intense summer thundershower had southern Oregon fruit growers on edge Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service recorded just over half an inch of rainfall in 30 minutes at the Medford airport.

Ron Meyer owns Meyer Orchards in Talent. He says half-inch hailstones caused minor damage to orchards just to the north.

Meyer was in Central Point as the hail fell. He says his crops are OK. But he's heard about minor damage to other orchards.

Ron Meyer: "It just ruins the pear as far as fresh market is concerned. And the price for juice pears is so low, it doesn't even pay to pick them. It would be cheaper to let 'em fall."

The heavy rain caused flash flooding on surface streets in Central Point and White City. It also broke the previous record for rainfall set back in 1975.