Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, but Hurricane Milton has brought some unexpected guests to the storm’s chaos—wild alligators! As the fierce winds and torrential rains of the Category 3 storm battered the state, one group of residents got the shock of their lives when they opened their car door to find an alligator snapping at their tire. Talk about a terrifying moment in the middle of a hurricane! These Florida locals, already dealing with floods, were left hysterical as they found themselves face-to-face with a large, agitated gator.
Wildlife experts have been warning that storms like Milton could drive animals out of their usual habitats and into populated areas. And sure enough, animals like alligators are being displaced by the storm’s floodwaters, leaving them disoriented and more aggressive.
Floods caused by Milton made alligators enter in the houses.
It creates even more panic among peoples. Be safe 🙏🏻 #LieutenantDan #HurricanMilton #florida #miltonhurricane pic.twitter.com/8HjyNoLfgU— Akshitha Reddy 👑 (@Queen__Akshitha) October 10, 2024
The video footage making rounds online shows exactly how unpredictable nature can be during these times. That gator, possibly seeking shelter from the storm’s wrath, gave everyone an all-too-close reminder that humans aren’t the only ones affected when disaster strikes.
Christopher Gillette, a specialist from Bellowing Acres Sanctuary for alligators, shared that alligators typically seek refuge underwater during hurricanes, holding their breath for up to six hours until the worst of the storm passes.
But with the massive flooding Hurricane Milton has caused, these creatures are getting washed into areas they wouldn’t normally venture—like the streets, homes, and backyards of Florida residents. Gillette urged people to be cautious and avoid trying to rescue or confront displaced wildlife. For those in Florida, staying safe means steering clear of anything that might be lurking beneath the water.
It’s not just gators that residents need to be wary of. Snakes, often blending into debris and hidden in floodwaters, have been turning up in some unexpected places, adding to the chaos.
With Milton wreaking havoc across the state, from Tampa to Fort Myers, and leaving three million homes without power, the dangers aren’t just from the weather itself but also from displaced wildlife.
A North Fort Myers resident captured video of a gator appearing from the floodwaters during Hurricane Milton. pic.twitter.com/0kEKce17tU
— NBC2 News (WBBH-TV) (@NBC2) October 10, 2024
As emergency services continue their work, officials are reminding everyone to take extra care. If anyone encounters a wild animal that poses a threat, especially alligators, they should contact authorities like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is equipped to handle such situations.
