Hurricane Milton: Alligator 'leaps' out of floodwater to attack terrified car owner

A Florida man had a close encounter with while in his car on Wednesday night, as the creature emerged from the floodwaters of Hurricane Milton.

In a hair-raising video, the man is seen peering out of his car window when he spots a "big f------ alligator" gnawing on his tire, causing him to retreat rapidly back into his vehicle. The darkness of the night and added to the terror of the scene, as the gator was barely visible.

Experts have highlighted that apex predators such as alligators are a significant danger during floods, which can sweep them great distances, potentially depositing them right at someone's front door. This warning came just hours before made landfall, as wildlife specialists cautioned residents about the risks.

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Christopher Gillette, who runs an animal sanctuary in Putnam County, took to to alert locals of the potential for displaced and dangerous animals caught up in the storm's path. As he prepared the sanctuary at Bellowing Acres, he advised his followers to be cautious of animals struggling through the severe event.

"There will be lots of disturbed animals on the move, they're trying to survive the storm too," he posted. He also reminded people that alligators pose a particular threat due to their ability to hold their breath for extensive periods, up to six hours, reports .

The historic Category 3 hurricane has unleashed devastating flooding across Florida as residents hunker down against the onslaught of life-threatening 120mph winds tearing through the state. The storm's eye struck Tampa Bay head-on, marking the first significant hurricane landing in the area for over a century, leaving more than two million households and businesses without power.

Over 125 homes and a substantial sheriff's facility in St. Lucie County were decimated.

In an alarming call to action on CNN prior to Hurricane Milton making landfall, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor starkly cautioned locals, insisting on the necessity of abiding by mandatory evacuation orders, facing certain death if choosing to stay as their houses are transformed into "coffins."

Milton had earlier ramped up to a monstrous Category 5 hurricane, packing maximum winds reaching a tremendous 160 mph. "I can say without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you're going to die," declared Mayor Castor to CNN presenter Kaitlan Collins.

The storm took the lives of at least four individuals in St. Lucie County before moving north of the Bahamas on Thursday.

The Volusia County sheriff confirmed the death of three people in the area, while authorities in St. Petersburg reported two more fatalities linked to the hurricane.

Parts of Sarasota, Fort Myers, Venice and other cities along the Gulf Coast experienced dangerous 10-foot floods. Tornadoes, which hit the opposite coast from where Milton initially landed, destroyed buildings, cars and trees.