Snakes, other wildlife emerging from floodwaters

Wildlife is seeking refuge on higher ground just as some riverbank residents are with the Waccamaw River cresting Thursday.

Floodwaters put various wildlife on the move including snakes, alligators, raccoons, coyotes, opossums, deer and squirrels, according to First Sgt. Nate Hutson with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

“Their homes have been taken over by water just like some of ours,” Hutson said.

Residents can expect to see more wildlife as the animals seek temporary refuge from floodwaters, he said. He said displaced water snakes may go right back as the river waters slowly recede, but just like the rest of the displaced area wildlife, there’s really no way of knowing how long they may hang around as floodwaters recede.

Hutson said it’s possible some wildlife, including alligators, could find their way into flooded riverbank homes and urged residents to be careful when returning to their houses.

People have built homes and cleared areas in former wildlife habitats and now these animals are struggling to find a place since the floodwaters took over where they once were, Hutson said.

“Your home used to be their home,” he said.

Residents should contact a nuisance wildlife specialist if they need help getting an animal such as a raccoon or opossum removed from their house.

Hutson said animal control officers only address issues concerning domesticated animals such as dogs and cats, and wildlife specialists are needed for other types of animals.

Hutson also said displaced animals may simply leave on their own and may not need to be removed by a specialist.

“Just give it time - these animals will go away,” he said.

Anyone bitten or attacked by a snake or other wildlife should call 911 immediately, Hutson said.

Due to floodwaters, the DNR office has also declared a temporary four-day closure for hunting season that started on Tuesday for Horry and Georgetown counties on all game species except for alligator, doves, hogs and coyotes, Hutson said.

The temporary hunting season hiatus was issued because floodwaters have created the potential for exploitation of game species that are deprived of their normal escape routes and restricted to small areas of high ground, officials said.

Mosquitoes are not currently a concern because the floodwater is moving, but they could become an issue once the water slows down and settles, Hutson said.

There was a chance mosquitoes may not be an issue even when the water settles because cooler temperatures are coming, Hutson said.

There haven’t been any reported issues with displaced wildlife, and Horry County officials don’t anticipate mosquitoes or other wildlife to become a major issue for residents, county spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said.

But Georgetown County officials started mosquito control operations Tuesday in areas that were already seeing an influx of the bugs because of flooding.

Mosquito spraying operations were performed in East Bay, Willowbank, Country Club Estates, Indigo Apartments, Whites Creek, Greentown, Brick Chimney Road and the west end of the city of Georgetown, officials said.

Officials said their efforts should eliminate adult mosquitoes in those areas, but said any other mosquito issues could be reported by calling 843-545-3615.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Snakes, other wildlife emerging from floodwaters."