Officials confirm first flood fatality in Uvalde after taillights seen in floodwaters

UVALDE, Texas – Uvalde County reported its first flood-related fatality Thursday after authorities found a vehicle in floodwaters north of Uvalde.

At about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026, Incident Command received a radio notification from Texas Department of Public Safety Air Unit 108 reporting it saw the taillights and reverse lights of a vehicle bobbing in floodwater about four miles north of Uvalde at the intersection of U.S. Highway 83 North and County Road 400, according to the Uvalde Police Department.

A Texas DPS boat team approached the vehicle and confirmed a male occupant was dead, the release said.

The man was identified as a 74-year-old whose family lives out of state. Authorities said he had eluded law enforcement warnings not to proceed up the roadway.

Sheriff Ruben Nolasco and the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Department will continue to investigate. Further updates are expected from the sheriff’s office.