Flooding along the Nueces River has destroyed part of the FM 481 bridge southwest of Uvalde, cutting off a key connection between Uvalde and Eagle Pass.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said powerful floodwaters washed away a section of the bridge after days of heavy rain dropped as much as 20 inches in parts of Uvalde County. Images released by DPS show a large portion of the crossing missing.
Known locally as Old Eagle Pass Road, FM 481 is an important rural route linking U.S. 90 in Uvalde with U.S. 57 toward Eagle Pass. Its closure is expected to create lengthy detours for residents, ranchers, agricultural workers and commercial traffic.
While U.S. 90 through Uvalde has reopened after earlier flooding, officials warn that many roads across the region remain closed or damaged. Drivers are urged to obey barricades and avoid roads and bridges until they have been inspected and reopened by transportation officials.
TxDOT has not announced when the FM 481 bridge will be replaced.
