Bandera woman who died during Monday’s floods identified

Bandera County officials identified the woman who died Monday after floodwaters swept her and her vehicle into a creek.  Joelle Taylor, 53, was found in the vehicle near Lower Mason Creek Road and Chipman Lane.

According to Bandera County Sheriff Josh Teitge, the sheriff’s office received a call from Taylor at approximately 5:30 a.m. Monday.  She told authorities her car was moving into the creek due to fast-moving floodwaters and she was unable to exit her vehicle.  Teitge said moments later the call disconnected, but first responders were able to pinpoint her cellphone’s last known location.

A Bandera County spokesperson said Taylor’s vehicle was found under water in a remote creek behind a subdivision at roughly 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.  First responders discovered Taylor and the vehicle after the floodwaters receded.

Weather reports showed more than 6.4″ of rainfall fell Monday near the area multiple agencies began their search for Taylor off State Highway 173.