Alligators, sewage, bears and snakes are just a few of the reasons to stay out of Florida's floodwaters, officials say

Hurricane Ian has caused widespread damage and flooding in Florida, leaving much of the state drowning in several feet of water as it continues its trek up the East Coast. With floodwaters still raging, officials have warned residents to stay indoors and avoid going into it at all costs — and dangerous wildlife is a big reason why. 

"Flood water is dangerous," the Collier County government tweeted on Thursday afternoon. "We've received reports of sewage, alligators and snakes in flood water in our community. Please stay away." 

While those reports have not been confirmed by CBS News, there has been video footage circulating that demonstrates these risks. A local NBC affiliate reporter posted a video on Thursday showing an alligator swimming through floodwaters in Lake County, saying it looked like it was "about 9, 10 feet." The local fire chief had earlier warned about animals in the floodwaters, she said, adding that the creatures normally wouldn't like to "come out of the swamps."