Place several buckets on the floor under the water-damaged portion of the ceiling.
Set up a ladder under the edge of the water-damaged portion of the ceiling. Adjust the ladder's position so the top of the ladder sits under the outer portion of the water damage.
Set a bucket on top of the ladder. The bucket should rest under the edge of the bubble.
Poke a hole through the ceiling above the bucket with either an awl or a pencil. Remove the awl or pencil. Catch the water in the bucket. Drain the water from the bucket after the water stops dripping from the hole.
Move the ladder toward the center of the ceiling's water bubble. Set an empty bucket on the top of the ladder and poke a hole into the drywall with the awl or pencil. Drain all the water from the hole.
Place the ladder under the center of the water-damaged area. Set an empty bucket on top of the ladder. Drain the water from the center of the water-damaged area.