VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla — People working and living along the St. Johns River said the flooding seen after Ian is something they have never witnessed.

Kevin Oakes has lived along the river for about ten years and said it’s part of the deal if you live on the water, and he expected this to happen.

“The whole dock, everything on the lower section of that dock, is underwater by at least two to three feet,” explained Oakes.

Usually, a clear sidewalk leads from the Oakes’ home to their backyard, then up a set of steps and to their top deck. However, the water from the St. Johns River is flooding their backyard. This is certainly something they aren’t used to, and Oakes has never seen it this bad.

“The St Johns is out of the river by at least three, four feet.”

He told his wife the river would rise, and the prediction was correct. The water is now in their backyard.

“We can fish in the backyard; yes, we could always fish in the backyard,“ added Oakes. “Now, it happens to be in the yard instead of in the river.”

The Navy veteran remains optimistic and takes the cards he was dealt in stride.

“When the water goes down, we will have to do some repairs, but it will be okay, I think,” said Oakes.

He said he expects this nearly knee-high deep water to recede in about two months.