See This Alligator Invade a Flooded Street and Come Face to Face With a Resident

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When your street gets flooded, why not go fishing? Well, here is one very good reason. You may end up face-to-face with an alligator. See below to watch the full video of a resident who found more than he bargained for in the flood water.

Dangers of Flood Water

There is increasing evidence that our climate is changing and for some areas, increased frequency of floods may be the result. Some flooding is inevitable and is simply a part of life but others may be caused by human activity.

For example, when Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida in October 2022, it triggered flash floods and a lot of devastation. Some parts of the country are more prone to flooding than others and Florida is one state where flooding is a frequent hazard.

Flood waters pose a lot of dangers to humans and spending time in flood water is not a great idea. There can be submerged obstacles and holes or drains that can cause physical injury. The water itself can contain harmful pathogens or chemicals and, as we see here, it can also contain dangerous animals.

We are not told where this footage was filmed but it is safe to say that it is a situation that Florida residents could easily face given the flooding risk and the presence of alligators in their state!

All About the American Alligator

American alligators are found in several states with the highest numbers recorded in Florida and Louisiana. There are thought to be 1.3 million in Florida alone. They are huge reptiles and can grow to 15 feet long – weighing up to 800 pounds. These reptiles like to live in marsh and swampland, so it is no wonder that they take advantage of the flood water.

Perhaps they think that their territory has simply been expanded.

As solitary predators, they have a preference for fish, small mammals, and birds as their primary prey. Nevertheless, they are known to exhibit remarkable boldness by occasionally targeting much larger animals, such as deer, panthers, or even black bears!

So, is the guy fishing in danger? Alligators do not see humans as prey but they can and will attack humans if they feel threatened. If we look at statistics for Florida, there are an average of three alligator attacks a year and deaths have been recorded.

So, the person fishing would be wise to get back in their house!

Is It Normal For People to Encounter Alligators When Flooding Occurs?

Annual hurricanes have always been part of the seasonal threats that hit coastal areas from the Gulf Coast and all the way up the East Coast of the United States. Often, they bring flood waters caused by tidal surges, and within these waters, the abundant wildlife can be drawn into places they don’t normally frequent.

It’s common for safety officials to issue warnings to the public about the dangers of venturing out into floodwaters, and one of the biggest threats is encountering wildlife. Besides fish, alligators and snakes swim in floodwaters. During Hurricane Ian in 2022, there were more than one sightings of alligators–one in Lake County and another in Fort Myer. 

The recent Hurricane Idalia saw many reports of wildlife in St. James City, Florida, including a woman who found an alligator hiding under her boat lift, a couple who spied a manatee eating in flood waters in their backyard, and a large snake swimming across a partially flooded city street. 

It’s very important that if you live in a coastal area where a large flood happens, always be mindful of the possibility of encountering wildlife if you leave your house.