We had a commercial drain cleaning company out recently to try to sort out the problem of our flooding garage every time it rains. One of the guys decided to go down the manhole outside, to see if he could see a blockage from that end. He happily climbed 2 metres down his ladder, into a manhole that was literally crawling with big cockies. He wasn't bothered. They mostly scurried into cracks and crevasses to escape the light from above, and he just said they're more frightened of him than vice versa. Still wouldn't get me doing that job. Incidentally, it was later that night that one flew into our bedroom. Nowhere near the aforementioned manhole, so he must've come looking for me specificaly - maybe annoyed at being disturbed earlier?
Last time we had heavy rain (and our garage flooded), we were caught out in the street and had to wade home through several inches of water. (The centre of Torremolinos is always like that when there's a deluge, as the water can't get into our garage quick enough). At one point, we stumbled upon a large rat, soaking and dithering, on her hind legs against a wall, desperately trying to keep her baby's head above the water. Now, I'm no fan of rats, but this made me feel really sorry for her. Fortunately, the water was already beginning to subside, so I think she would have been OK. Couldn't quite bring myself to pick them up and bring them home.