NEW YORK, Sept 30, (Agencies): Severe flooding wreaked havoc in New York on Friday, submerging streets, inundating homes, and even turning parts of LaGuardia Airport into ankle-deep water. Amid the deluge, an unexpected escapade unfolded at the Central Park Zoo involving a sea lion named Sally.

Sally took advantage of the flooding to briefly venture beyond her enclosure. Jim Breheny, the executive vice president of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Zoos and Aquarium, which oversees the facility, explained, "A female sea lion at Central Park Zoo was able to swim out of her pool due to flooding of the plaza caused by severe rains in New York City."

The zoo's staff closely monitored Sally as she freely explored her temporary surroundings. However, her adventure was short-lived, as she soon returned to the familiar confines of her pool, rejoining the company of her fellow sea lions.

Breheny reassured the public, stating, "The water levels have receded, and the animals are contained in their exhibit. No staff or visitors were in danger."

Friday's torrential rain amounted to more than a month's worth of precipitation in parts of New York City and Long Island, much of it falling within a few hours.

Contrary to some online rumors, Sally never ventured outside the zoo's secondary perimeter during her escapade for freedom, as clarified by Breheny.

Nevertheless, social media couldn't resist turning Sally's adventure into a subject of memes and humor. Comments and reactions flooded the internet, with one observer humorously referencing the animated movie "Madagascar," where zoo animals escape to the African nation of Madagascar. Another commenter playfully invoked the famous line from the film, "Smile and wave, boys."

The unexpected sea lion excursion even left some individuals bewildered, with one person admitting, "This was not on my 2023 bingo card." Others found solace in humor during the storm, as one person remarked, "At least some New Yorkers are enjoying this storm."