Heavy rain floods homes in Kotka

Nearly 60 millimetres of rain fell in Kotka over the weekend, among the highest rainfall totals in Finland, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

The downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, flooding basements in at least ten single-family homes, with the water utility Kymen Vesi receiving 70 damage reports. The company confirmed it will cover the costs for the affected properties, primarily in the Korela and Metsola districts.

Jenny Kilpiäinen awoke to the sound of torrential rain early Sunday and discovered water gushing from every drain in her home. “Water was spraying from the top of the toilet bowl as if a fire truck were hosing it down,” she said. She and her partner, Antti Laakso, an engineer who had previously designed a flood protection system for their bathroom, acted quickly to block the drains. Emergency services pumped out some of the water before Kilpiäinen finished the cleanup herself.

Kymen Vesi managing director Jani Väkevä called the situation exceptional, noting only one comparable event in his 20-year career. The utility is still assessing another ten potential claims. Compensation depends on whether water levels in the sewer system exceeded the designated flood barrier height—a threshold typically established during building permits. If water rises above this level, the utility is liable; if not, property owners must cover drying and repair costs themselves.

Climate change is intensifying rainfall, according to Finnish Meteorological Institute meteorologist Pauli Jokinen. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier downpours, even as dry periods grow longer. Many drainage systems, built decades ago for lighter rainfall, are now being gradually upgraded.