Actor Aake Kalliala trapped in flood while driving in Mikkeli

Actor Aake Kalliala found himself in a frightening situation on Tuesday while driving home from his cottage. A sudden downpour struck the Mikkeli area, which Kalliala described as unprecedented— “I have never seen weather like this even in biblical movies. It was a waterfall from the sky,” he explained.

As Kalliala approached the German Street tunnel under the railway, he encountered a flood, blocking any forward movement. He parked near the puddle when a car behind him waited for him to proceed. “I could see the water rising in front of me like in a child’s bathtub under the faucet,” he noted. The car behind him turned around, but by then, the water had already risen significantly.

Kalliala attempted to reverse his vehicle, but it wouldn’t move. “I tried to go forward, and the car moved, but I couldn’t shift into reverse. Soon, I was floating there like I was about to embark on a cruise,” he recounted.

With his dog in the car, Kalliala awaited rescue as he heard various alarming noises. Concerned about the risk of electrical shock, he felt uneasy about the situation. Firefighters couldn’t assist immediately, and it was only a tow truck that managed to pull Kalliala’s hybrid vehicle to safety.

Once out of the car, he noticed water was up to his knees. As he left for home to warm up, he expressed worries about the repair costs, especially if his insurance would cover the damage. Mikkeli Auto Club service manager, Antti Teittinen, estimated the car would need to be largely dismantled for repairs.

Insurance companies typically do not cover damages caused when a vehicle is driven into floodwater, and claim policies can leave the car owner responsible for the costs.