MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- Some people in a Middleburg neighborhood are worried about rising water.
The neighbors say one neighbor came up with a fix for his flooding but made conditions worse for everyone else.
"I didn't realize when I bought this property I got lakefront property," said Jimmie Bunn.
"If we get a few more nights of this rain, my house is going to flood for something someone else did," Bunn said.
Water is inching toward Bunn's home on Florence Drive in Middleburg. He said the water is drainage blocked by a berm built by his next door neighbor.
"They've stopped the natural flow of water, it's caused backup all the way down the street," Bunn said.
"It usually comes across my yard and their yard and skeets across there and goes out through the woods," said Butch Hall, who has lived across the street for eight years. "It's because of the berm over there, it's got everybody backed up."
Teresa Monson with St. Johns River Water Management told First Coast News changes that alter the natural flow of water require an environmental resource permit, and that making changes without one can be against the law.
First Coast News spoke with the homeowner who built the berm, Jim Gibson, who did not want to appear on camera.
Gibson said his home flooded a few years ago, but said he did not apply for a permit or speak with St. Johns River Water Management before making the changes to his yard.
He admits the flooding has never been as bad as it is now, but does not believe it is caused by his berm.
Monson could not comment specifically on this case, but said failing to get the necessary permit could result in a monetary penalty or requirements to change the structure.
Gibson and Bunn both say, they are just trying to protect their homes.
"Because of what they done, this is what I've got to deal with," Bunn said. "I don't see how this is right."
St. Johns River Water Management said if you are looking to change landscaping that could alter natural water flow, the safe thing to do is to first have it approved by St. Johns River Water Management.
First Coast News