Heavy rain traps driver in Presidio County creek

Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Katelyn Carlock, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

PRESIDIO, Texas (KOSA) - Presidio County Sheriff’s deputies were called out around midnight after a driver got stranded in Terneros Creek on FM 170 east of Presidio.Heavy rain north of the area had the creek moving fast when John Rakowitz, 49, of Grand Prairie, tried to cross. His vehicle got stu...

Why this matters in The Midland

The rescue of a stranded driver in Terneros Creek serves as a stark warning to Midland residents who frequently travel to neighboring counties. The incident in Presidio County, where heavy rain caused a creek to swell, trapping a driver, could easily happen on roads in our own area. With the Permian Basin's unpredictable weather patterns, it's crucial for drivers to exercise caution when approaching flooded roads or low-water crossings. The fact that multiple agencies, including the Presidio County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Border Patrol, and TxDOT, responded to the incident highlights the complexity and danger of such situations. As Midland residents, it's essential to be aware of the risks associated with driving in flood-prone areas and to heed warnings from local authorities to avoid crossing flooded roads, even if the water appears shallow. This incident should prompt drivers to reevaluate their routes and plans when traveling to nearby counties.

About this story

Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 1, 2026 · Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · Reading time: 1 min

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This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Katelyn Carlock at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Katelyn Carlock, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 1, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Heavy rain traps driver in Presidio County creek

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