'Gators And Catfish And Snakes, Oh My!

Usually, the only things you see on the runway at the airport are planes... either taking off, landing or taxiing. But thanks to Tropical Storm Fay, now spinning in place off the east coast of Florida, that's not always the case.

Aero-News alum Pete Combs, now a reporter for 750-WSB AM in Atlanta, tells ANN that so far, the heavy rains have washed at least two gopher tortoises, four walking catfish, an alligator, and a blue indigo snake onto the tarmac at Melbourne International Airport (MLB.)

Passengers on a departing Delta flight told WSB that watching the 'Keystone Cop' routine to round up those critters was better than the in-flight movie. But with more than 30 inches of rain in some places, Florida Governor Charlie Crist says Fay is no laughing matter.

"I mean, nobody's sure exactly where this thing is going to go," Crist told the radio station.

Fay is expected to make landfall for a third time sometime Thursday, as it moves west back across the Florida Peninsula.

(Screengrab from The Weather Channel, www.weather.com )

FMI: www.noaa.gov, www.melbourneairport.com