Australians notified of deadly spider outbreak after flooding

An “outbreak” of the world’s most deadly spiders could swarm Sydney after heavy rain and flooding, the Australian Reptile Park warned on Wednesday. It said that the deadly arachnids could seek shelter in homes as they escape the flood.

Persistent rainstorms in New South Wales state have caused vast flooding, with parts of residential northwest Sydney still submerged.

Residents received sunshine on Wednesday after days of rainfall. They also received an “urgent warning” to brace for an invasion of the deadly spider, which is prevalent in the Sydney region.

According to the park director Tim Faulkner’s statement, “The upcoming warm weather, as well as humidity high levels, is the ideal storm for a funnel-web spider BOOM in coming days.”

“Due to the incredible flooding across the Greater Sydney area, they have been forced out of their home, looking for refuge in dryer areas. Unfortunately, this could result in finding their way into residential homes very shortly”, he added.

Sydney funnel-webs are generally feared for their toxic and fast-acting venom, with 13 recorded deaths from bites.

But nobody has died since an anti-venom programme was introduced in the early 1980s.

Read more Current COVID-19 wave more dangerous than previous: Usman Buzdar

The Australian Reptile Park which is the supplier of lifesaving antivenom has motivated people who “feel safe enough” to catch and deliver wandering funnel-web spiders to assigned collection services.