TEXAS FLOODS ARE BRINGING SNAKES, ALLIGATORS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Texas Floods Are Bringing Snakes, Alligators To The Neighborhood

By Sean Breslin

Published May 29 2015 05:23 PM EDT

weather.com

Dry At Last for Texas and Oklahoma

It has been a very long and wet six weeks in much of the Southwest. Many areas have seen all time record rainfall for the month. But there is great news in the forecast.

Consider this a cautionary tale for why it's a bad idea to walk around in floodwaters.

Enlarge

Snakes can swim through waterways, as this one did in a North Texas lake back in April. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Texans are getting a little too close with some harmful creatures because of the weeks-long flood that has gripped their state. As the water rose, snakes and alligators suddenly had a lot more room to move around, and some have come right into neighborhoods where they're not welcome.

(MORE: Floods Swamp Texas, Killing More Than Two Dozen)

Dallas resident Mary Weir was recently on the phone in her home when she noticed a 2-foot-long snake had come into the house, the Dallas Morning News reported. After barricading the snake in a linen closet, she was eventually able to scoop it up with a mop handle and carry it away.

Enlarge

Alligator found in parking garage following Houston flooding. (Rebecca Duensing)

"It’s a perfect storm. We’re getting hundreds of calls about snakes right now," Bonnie Bradshaw told the Dallas Morning News. Her company, 911 Wildlife, works with Dallas to respond to wildlife calls.

Authorities have also warned residents that there are other dangers lurking in floodwaters. This is mating season for alligators, which Yahoo! News says makes the reptiles even more hazardous to be around.

"Alligators travel great distances this time of year and having more water to do it in certainly facilitates it," Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department Maj. Chad Norvell said in the report.

Floodwaters can contain snakes, fire ants and alligators, but there are also more frequent risks like diseases and chemical hazards, according to the CDC. Unless it's an emergency, it's quite risky to go for that swim on a flooded road.