Australia Has 3 Excellent Reasons to Avoid Floodwaters

The city of Townsville, Australia, is currently enduring a flood of epic proportions, and more rain is in the forecast, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. More than 20,000 homes are at risk, reports the BBC, and authorities were scrambling to get people to higher ground with boats and helicopters. They also had a warning for those venturing out into floodwaters on their own: "Crocodiles may be seen crossing roads, and when flooding recedes, crocodiles can turn up in unusual places such as farm dams or waterholes," says Queensland's Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch. (This resident's photo proves the point.)

Not scary enough? "Similarly, snakes are very good swimmers and they too may turn up unexpectedly," says Enoch. And finally, Queensland police added a third threat: "If the thought of coming face to face with a crocodile isn't deterrent enough, before you start playing in flood waters you should always remember the distinct possibility you could be wading in your neighbor's feces. Yes. Their feces." You can guess the emoji that accompanies the warning. (Meanwhile, in the other hemisphere...)