Current flood warnings: water levels on the Baltic Sea in focus!

Current flood warnings: water levels on the Baltic Sea in focus!

Now it's time to be careful again! Today, June 19th, 2025, everything revolves around the current water levels on the Baltic Sea coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The measuring stations in Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald are at the alert level. The values ​​from these regions are crucial for flood protection and the safety of the population Baltic Sea newspaper reported.

The terms “mean low water” (MNW) and “mean high water” (MHW) are interesting and should be remembered. The MNW describes the average low water level over a certain period of time, while the MHW concerns the average high water level, especially in tidal waters. For Warnemünde the current values ​​are 507 cm for the mean water level, 407 cm for the MNW and 617 cm for the MHW. The highest flood level was measured on November 13, 1872 at 770 cm. This compares to the lowest water level of 332 cm, which was recorded on October 18, 1967.

How storm surges are classified

Real attention should also be paid to the storm surges, which are divided into different classes on the Baltic Sea coast. A storm surge is already registered from 1.00 m above the mean water level. This classification extends to very severe storm surges in which the water level rises to over 2.00 m. This highlights the important role that monitoring of these natural events plays.

If you look at the past few years, flood protection has become enormously important. The last major storm surge in October caused damage amounting to 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz needs around 42 million euros to restore the infrastructure. Tourist facilities, harbor protection facilities and beaches, which often suffered from loss of sand, are particularly affected.

Alertness and behavior during floods

In the event of flooding, the alertness of the responsible institutions is crucial. These range from federal and state governments to the police and fire departments. The flood control center is active when dangerous water levels are reached. The population is warned via various channels, including radio, television, loudspeaker trucks, sirens, as well as modern media such as websites, warning apps and social media. Cool, considered action is required here. If a storm surge occurs, it is advisable to turn off electricity and gas, secure important things and stock up on supplies.

In emergency situations, you also have to provide hand luggage, pack the necessary equipment and seek shelter on higher floors. If you pay attention to these simple points, you can approach the situation in a much more relaxed manner.

Flooding as a global problem

But it's not just the Baltic Sea coast that is affected. Floods are one of the most common natural disasters internationally. Loud Statista Floods have caused almost 37 percent of all natural disasters worldwide since 2000. Climate change also plays a role: a warmer atmosphere can hold more water, leading to more frequent and intense heavy rain.

Experts point out that around 400,000 people, especially along the Rhine, will be at risk of flooding in the future. Protecting natural floodplains is important to minimize future damage and make infrastructure safer.

In summary, it is important to be informed and prepared. The current flood situation and the history of storm surges on the Baltic Sea coast show how important it is to focus on people's safety and to always remain vigilant.