Flooding from Hurricane Irma Causes Wild Animal Pests to Seek Shelter in Homes and Businesses

A hurricane can cause streams and rivers to overflow and flood areas that aren’t supposed to be underwater. Hurricane Irma overwhelmed many Florida communities by dumping millions of gallons of water onshore. Waterways were stirred and chaos engulfed agricultural areas and urban centers. Trees were swept away and peaceful streams began to rage. The water flowed where it could as people and wildlife abandoned their homes and headed for higher ground.

Government agencies and community organizations established refuge centers for the people, but the wild animals had to go it alone. Although some animals have the ability to sense severe changes in barometric pressure, most wild animals were forced to seek safety by the rising waters and destructive winds.

Wild animals strayed into residential and business areas, entering damaged homes and businesses to escape the storm and the flooding.
Hurricanes and floods have been altering the geography of Florida for millennia, but that doesn’t make a massive hurricane any easier to live through.

Storms and flooding have the potential to upset Florida’s sensitive ecosystem at every level. Estimates will undoubtedly be forthcoming, but we will probably never know how many animals ultimately perish due to the stormy temperament of Hurricane Irma. We do know that many pest species, especially snakes, raccoons and rats, sought shelter in temporarily abandoned homes, commercial businesses, industrial facilities and other buildings. We also know that many families may be in for quite a surprise. Wild animals can do a lot of harm in a short period of time. Ask an expert wildlife management company to inspect the premises and remove any unwelcome guests before they spread disease or cause harm to a family member.

Rising and fast moving water has the power to carve away the landscape and destroy communities. Hurricane Irma performed its share of destructive acts, but Floridians have a history of rebounding from major hurricanes. Rodents and other wild animal species can spread disease through mold producing feces and urine. Speak with a nuisance wild animal removal company to humanely eliminate those pests from your home or business and have your building professionally sealed to ensure that they never return.