TxDOT crews save man from raging floodwaters

July 9, 2026

By Ana McCranie

PRESIDIO, Texas — When rapidly rising floodwaters swept through Presidio County during a late-night storm, two Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employees helped rescue a man stranded in the middle of a flooded creek using a front-end loader.

Their actions highlight the vital role TxDOT employees play on the front lines during emergencies, often working alongside emergency responders to keep Texans safe.

Shortly after midnight on July 1, Presidio/Terlingua Maintenance Supervisor Jesus Hernandez, received a call from the Presidio County Sheriff’s office about a man trapped in floodwaters at the Terneros creek.

The waterway sits on the route to Big Bend Ranch State Park and crosses under FM 170 about five miles southeast of Presidio.

Hernandez quickly jumped into action, calling Presidio Transportation Maintenance Technician Israel Arevalo, who was on call that night.

The two employees quickly mobilized. Hernandez drove a TxDOT pick-up truck while Arevalo drove a TxDOT loader from the Presidio facility, about 10 miles away from the creek. The loader is a large piece of heavy equipment with a bucket in the front.

Once at the creek, Hernandez and Arevalo carefully maneuvered the loader into the floodwaters. The man then climbed into the loader’s bucket and was safely transported to higher ground.

“In this situation what we like to do is just go in and get them out,” Hernandez said. “Just in and out, so we’re not exposed to danger ourselves. The gentleman was really calm. He was happy to jump into the loader, and he was glad to see us.”

This isn’t the first rescue for Hernandez and his team. They’ve received statewide recognition multiple times for their past rescue efforts.

“Rescuing stranded motorists is not something our folks do to be recognized,” said El Paso District Engineer Tomas Trevino. “They really care about people in the areas they serve.”

Incidents like the most recent rescue demonstrate the strong partnership between TxDOT crews and local emergency responders. While many emergency vehicles cannot safely enter fast-moving flood waters because they risk being swept away, specialized TxDOT equipment, like a loader, can provide critical assistance during water rescues.

“It’s a collaboration, and it works really well,” Hernandez said. “We have good communication with our deputies and police officers.”

During monsoon season, monitoring flooded roadways becomes a top priority for Presidio County crews. Teams regularly patrol more than 280 low-water crossings along a 100-mile stretch of roadway between Candelaria and Terlingua, watching for dangerous conditions during rains.

Hernandez echoes agency advice that urges motorists to turn around, don’t drown when they encounter water-covered roads.

“Just wait. Don’t try to cross them. Just wait,” he said.

The reminder can be lifesaving. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet or cause drivers to lose control of a vehicle. Twelve inches of water can carry away a car, and two feet can sweep away trucks and SUVs. Drivetexas.org is also a valuable resource that can show real-time conditions on the road to help drivers plan their route away from flooded roadways.

The rescue at Terneros Creek is one example of the work TxDOT employees perform every day. Whether maintaining roadways or responding to emergencies, their dedication helps keep communities connected and safe, no matter the conditions.