Localized flooding changed the course of nature Monday.

Swan Lake Creek, which runs behind the Vernon Square Mall, spilled its banks, including the fish in it.

The water was alive with carp splashing and swimming up the alley behind London Drugs, over curbs and parking spots.

鈥淭here were hundreds of them,鈥� said Rick Ogasawara, of All Pro Tree and Landscaping, which put up a berm of sandbags to stop the water from spreading further onto the road.

Working with Ogasawara, Norm Comeaux caught a video of the bizarre sight.

鈥淚 had no idea there were that many fish in that creek,鈥� he said.

Images on Facebook spread quickly and soon Ogasawara and his staff weren鈥檛 the only ones helping out.

Several Good Samaritans came down to help herd the fish back into the creek.

鈥淚 saw the post online and hopped on my long board and came right down,鈥� said Shone Nelson, while wading waist-deep in the water in his bare feet and jeans.

Joined by Lisa La Brash, Jon Mercier and Mackenzie Phillips, the strangers became quick friends as they worked to divert the fish and even cleaned up the creek a bit. Since the rising creek waters washed through some homeless camps, piles of garbage came with it.

- Thanks to