In my experience kundalini is symbolically linked to serpent because of the sensation associated with the motion of the energy up your spine. It does have a kind of slithery feeling sometimes, but ultimately I would describe it more as water moving along a hose than anything else.
But, it is EM energy moving along the nerves of the spine, so keep in mind any analogy is going to be slightly off.
It is not unusual when you feel the motion to visualize a serpent or a cobra, particualarly if you hear a lot of talk of kundalini as being serpent energy.
One of the greatest things about cultivating a service oriented mindset is that you start to see the problems of the world as an opportunity to serve. The worst of disasters becomes an opportunity to help people. Life is much less daunting when you see even the negative as a blessing in disguise.