Deadly monsoonal flooding claims 7 lives in Nogales and Tucson, Arizona
Deadly flooding triggered by monsoon storms has claimed at least seven lives in southern Arizona as of July 20, 2026.
Vehicles on Southern Avenue, Arizona amid monsoonal rains on July 18, 2026. Credit: Arizona DOT
At least six people were reported dead in Nogales, Arizona, due to severe flooding triggered by a monsoon storm, State Representative Stephanie Hamilton said in a statement on July 19.
While Hamilton did not specify when all six deaths occurred, Nogales Fire Chief Kenneth Larriva confirmed that the first fatalities were reported on July 16, in an email to News 4 Tucson.
A man’s body was recovered at approximately 10:00 local time (LT) on July 17 near KM22 along the I-19, Santa Cruz County Undersheriff Gerardo Castillo told Nogales International.
The body of a woman was recovered from the same location on July 18. A third victim was found later, but their gender wasn’t immediately determined, Castillo reported.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) located a deceased male in the Santa Cruz River near the I-10 and I-19 interchange.
Search operations began earlier at around 15:30 local time (LT) on July 17, after PCSD received reports of a man being swept away by floodwaters down the Julian Wash in the Julian Drive and South Palo Verde Road area. The search was suspended after the individual could not be located.
A separate search operation began later in the evening after the victim’s family reported him missing from the same area. The family confirmed that the victim had “developmental disabilities” and functioned at the cognitive level of a 10-year-old, PCSD reported.
Search and rescue operations continued on July 18, and aerial instruments were used to locate the body as the river’s water level dropped. PCSD confirmed that there were no signs of foul play; the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death.
The flood threat continues across southeastern Arizona through July 20. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz counties on the evening of July 20.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service (NWS) warned.
References:
1 STATEMENT: Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton on Deadly Flooding in Nogales – Arizona House of Democrats/Facebook – July 19, 2026
2 Two more bodies pulled from wash near Nogales; Tucson man dies in river – Nogales International – July 18, 2026
3 Two bodies reported floating in Nogales Wash after monsoon floods – News 4 Tucson – July 16, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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