Alligators spotted swimming out on the street in Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota, Florida, faced an unexpected sight earlier today as alligators were spotted swimming in the streets, a direct result of the powerful Hurricane Helene making landfall.

The major storm roared into Florida, bringing hurricane-force winds and an alarming storm surge, threatening the state with potentially “unsurvivable” conditions.

According to Fox News, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Taylor County, located between Tallahassee and Tampa, but its impacts have been felt hundreds of miles away.

The storm triggered chaos across the region, with a 20-foot storm surge inundating areas from Big Bend to Southwest Florida.

In the coastal town of Steinhatchee, mobile homes were reported to be floating due to the floodwaters.

The devastation wasn’t limited to Florida. Tornado warnings were issued as the hurricane moved inland, and two deaths were reported in Wheeler County, Georgia, after a mobile home was severely damaged.

The extreme conditions prompted emergency water rescues in multiple regions, with significant power outages being reported across Florida and beyond.

As the center of Helene approached the coast, over a million Floridians were left without power, with wind gusts nearing or exceeding hurricane-force strength.

Neighboring states, including Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, also reported substantial outages as the storm continued its path.

In Sarasota, the flooding became so severe that streets were submerged, allowing alligators to move freely in residential areas.

Meanwhile, FOX Weather’s Ian Oliver reported that streets around St. Pete Beach were quickly submerged by the storm surge, even though high tide had not yet arrived.

Hurricane Helene’s relentless impact has left Florida and surrounding states grappling with the aftermath of one of the most severe storms in recent memory. Rescue efforts are ongoing as the region braces for further flooding and wind damage.