A monster nor'easter has slammed the Northeast, and the images pouring out of it look more like a disaster movie than a weekend forecast. New York and New Jersey both declared states of emergency, with New Jersey's order covering eight counties, as flooded streets, toppled trees, and downed power lines turned ordinary trips into survival missions. Tens of thousands of homes lost power, thousands of flights were canceled or delayed, and wind gusts hit a staggering 74 mph in Surf City. In Queens, residents were even filmed kayaking down flooded roads, while officials begged people to stay out of the water. Tragically, a falling tree in Brooklyn killed a 56-year-old city housing worker.

Then came the moment that lit up the internet: in Surf City, New Jersey, a couple filmed what looked like a shark gliding through the floodwaters, past their home and straight into their driveway. The water in the tiny coastal town of about 1,300 people reportedly climbed as high as four feet, making the street look like a literal extension of the ocean. Before anyone could cue the Jaws music, shark researcher Greg Skomal told ABC News the animal appeared to be a smooth dogfish, a small and harmless species common in those waters. Still, the clip is a wild reminder of how quickly a coastal surge can blur the line between land and sea. Crews have since restored power to tens of thousands of customers and the worst of the flooding has begun to ease, but officials warn that high tides and dangerous conditions could linger along the shore.