Alligators, snakes and bacteria invade flooded streets

Devastated by tornadoes, winds, rains and floods after Hurricane Milton, Florida faces another problem. With rising water levels, residents are confronted, in addition to debris, with other dangers from nature: alligators, snakes and bacteria. A charming program for Floridians whose morale is already at half mast due to the extent of the damage.

“Alligators and snakes may be seen more frequently in flooded areas,” the state Fish and Wildlife Commission explained on social media. “Keep them at a distance and give them space,” the commission reiterates, adding that “although many Floridians have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict still exists.”

A warning for residents

This warning should not be taken lightly as videos have multiplied on social networks. Alligators can be seen wandering through rain-soaked streets, roaring against the storm and even taking up residence in flooded homes.

The ABC channel published a video sent by a viewer showing an alligator biting a car door.

Asked by USA Today, Chris Gillette, an alligator trainer, educator and photographer, said floodwaters in Florida are displacing wildlife as well as people. “It’s not a monster movie,” he explained.

Alligators generally do not view adult humans as prey, but they can bite small animals, especially dogs, and children should not be in flood waters if possible. He advises residents to “be careful where they put their hands, don’t walk where they can’t see what’s in the water if possible.” He also adds that there may be snakes.

The major risk of bacteria

Besides wildlife, one of the biggest risks is especially the proliferation of bacteria. On the website of KTSM 9another local NBC affiliate, an infectious disease expert warned that vibrio vulnificus — sometimes called “flesh-eating bacteria” — is also present in warm coastal waters that are pushed inland during hurricanes and flooding.

By clicking on“I accept”you accept the deposit of cookies by external services and will thus have access to the content of our partners.

More information on the Cookie management policy page

“Most of the time what we see after a hurricane is volunteers and homeowners cleaning up the damage. They are in the flooded areas and this bacteria penetrates through the skin,” Dr. Norman Beatty of the University of Florida told NewsNation Wednesday evening. “You step on a nail, you cut your leg, you have an open wound and the bacteria gets in,” he explained. “Time is then of the essence, because these infections spread very quickly, in the leg or in a limb. »


source site

Related Articles