Crazy Stories About Florida That Are Actually True
The internet is full of Florida and Florida man memes. Regarded by many as a stunning vacation destination, the most southwesterly tip of mainland America also seems to produce some of the craziest news stories. Much of what happens in Florida would simply not be believed if it were not explained that it happened in the Sunshine State.
This part of the country will always be known as the place where everyone’s grandparents go to retire, for some of the best surfing waves in the US, and where Florida betting apps are the latest technological development. But incredible news stories will also be a staple.
We could list crazy-but-true Florida news all day. But we have managed to edit down to seven of the best from the last few years. So, sit back and revel in the absurdity of the place – safe in the knowledge that there will be countless more incredible stories coming to a computer near you soon.
Huge Python Found in South Florida
There are plenty of weird and wonderful animals that call Florida home. Alligators are particularly common here (as you will see from a story profiled in this article) but we start off with a story about a snake. But we are not talking about any snake here – this is the biggest python ever measured.
It was in July 2023 when hunters came across an astonishing find in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County. At 19-feet long, the Burmese python was the biggest ever recorded. The previous record was a mere 18-ft 10 inches – discovered near Miami in 2020.
Boat Attacked By Shark Eight Times
Any fisherman will tell you that there is a lot to be cautious of every time you take to the high seas. That is especially true in the oceans surrounding Florida, as they are home to an incredible array of marine life. But being attacked by a shark has to be the scariest thing that can happen – especially when it happens eight times.
That’s what happened in the summer of 2023 off the Palm Beach coast. A bull shark obviously took exception to a fishing boat taking some of its natural prey and went for the vessel itself. The fishing captain talked about the boat being “shaken like a bag of popcorn” during the attack that saw the motor engine completely ripped out.
Man Drunk Drives a Golf Cart
Type the words “Florida Man” in your search engine and you might find yourself falling down an online rabbit hole. There are so many tales of gentlemen from the Sunshine State getting up to all kinds of stuff that it is difficult to think about them in any other way than figures of fun.
That might not be entirely fair. But when you hear about a man stopped for drunk driving in charge of a golf cart, you can probably be excused. This Florida man was actually stopped on a highway by police and recorded a .339 blood alcohol content – way above the legal limit.
Police Impersonator Pulls Over Real Cops
There is a troubling history of people impersonating police officers in the US. Some of the reasons can be quite horrifying when you think how trusting those pulled over by these fake cops might be. So it is somehow reassuring to hear of a story of one of these tricksters getting into legal trouble himself.
This criminal was arrested in April 2019 when he impersonated a police officer, unaware that the person he was stopping was an undercover cop himself. The real cop promptly called 911 and some fellow real officers arrived to take the fraudulent faker to the station.
Drunken Alligator
This crazy story somehow sums up every stereotype you might have about Florida in one neat little package. Fearsome killer animal? Check. Irresponsible locals? Check. Copious amounts of alcohol? Check. Sometimes the headlines must write themselves for the journalists of Florida.
This strange tale also has a particularly dark edge to it as the two men involved filmed themselves forcefully pouring beer into an alligator’s mouth. As stupid as that might be, the recorded evidence was the reason why police officers were able to apprehend the culprits who had captured the beast.
Aliens vs. Dragons War Reported
Just when you think you have heard it all about Florida, something comes along that blows your mind. That’s what the employees at the Patrick Space Force Base must have thought when they encountered a man who arrived at their door to warn of an impending battle between aliens and mythical creatures.
The man in question was ultimately charged with grand theft auto in July 2022 because he stole a truck to get himself to the base. He later told police that the president had told him to take the vehicle in order to alert authorities that US aliens were fighting with Chinese dragons.
Car Parked in Kitchen
Sometimes you don’t need a fearsome creature, evidence of alcohol, or even fantastical beings to make the news in Florida. Another aspect of life in this part of the country is that the weather can sometimes be on the extreme side. That was certainly the case for one man in 2019.
Worried that his possessions and property would be damaged by Hurricane Dorian, this Florida man thought he had the perfect answer by parking his car in his own kitchen. As strange as that might sound, his perfectly reasonable explanation was that he couldn’t use the garage as his wife’s car was already parked there.
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