DUNN, N.C. — Some Harnett County homeowners are hoping to not get a lot of rain. Their back yards are already soaked with water. It has been that way for years, but they are caught between the city and federal regulations.

For the past 10 years, Daisy Jacobs has felt helpless. A stream that runs from Hannah's Pond overflows in her back yard. It has been so overbearing that she moved to an apartment two years ago and gave her house to her daughter.

"To think you have to pay city taxes every year and then they do nothing about it," she said.

The area is classified as wetlands and it is protected by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Hurricanes Fran and Floyd, along with beavers, have added to the problem. To help, the city has trapped 12 beavers, destroyed one of their dams and provided extensive hurricane cleanup efforts, but approval must come from the corps before any more action is taken.

Larry McNeill lives a half-mile away from the running stream. He said it floods on his street every time there is a heavy rain, blocking him and his family inside the neighborhood.

"We really have a big problem out here," McNeill said.

The city says it is not giving up on finding a solution. In the meantime, neighbors are hoping for a dry summer.