I am dealing with the high standing water right now... and it's not fun. I live in a very rural area of Palm Beach and our dirt roads are not maintained except by us homeowners as best we can.
Right now one long stretch of road is many feet under water and while my 4 wheel drive has traction, the water is up to the engine and I am terrified of stalling out! It's worse this evening when I came home than it was when I left this morning. I seriously need to decide if I am going to risk it in the morning to get DD to school... as then I have to come home, and then do it again roundtrip in the afternoon.
Conveniently (har-har) DH went out of town Monday morning before it all hit and is not due back until Friday night.
As for gators, we have them in the water around us for sure (see them often) but while I do not really expect one to take up residence in my front yard, I ALWAYS assume that they are in water, including my pool, before anyone goes in. Better safe than sorry applies to more than hurricanes!