Much of Mark Fulkerson’s work starts after a catastrophic storm has passed and its rain has ceased. As a chief engineer for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, he spends the weeks following a hurricane documenting high-water marks and measuring how closely the agency’s flood maps match up against real flooding.

An active weather pattern that has brought a wave of rich tropical moisture across Florida and parts of the Southeast has settled over the region, triggering heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the next few days.

The rain is welcome relief to the drought-stricken state, too much at one time could cause localized flash flooding in some areas.

The Florida homeowner reportedly spent $575,000 to elevate her home in a bid to avoid future damage from flooding.