Baltic Sea floods: Current water levels and warnings for MV!

Baltic Sea floods: Current water levels and warnings for MV!

On September 29, 2025, the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will show an interesting side: While the water levels have fluctuated greatly in the last few days, the regional news portal Ostsee-Zeitung reports that flood warnings have been issued. The measuring stations in Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald are the central contact point for current weather events and flood warnings.

On the Baltic Sea, an important criterion is the water level above the mean high water (MHW) of 617 cm for Warnemünde. For storm surges, which have become more frequent in recent years, values ​​from 1.00 m above the mean water level are crucial. Depending on the severity of the storm surge, a distinction is made between different classes: from simple storm surge (1.00 - 1.25 m) to severe storm surge (1.50 - 2.00 m) and even very severe storm surge (over 2.00 m) as well as the highest flood level of 770 cm, which was measured in Warnemünde on November 13, 1872.

Water levels at a glance

The current water levels cast a worrying light on the conditions in the region. The Zingst station, for example, shows a water level of 529 cm today, which is a difference of 22 cm compared to the mean water level. In Bodstedt the water level is also 533 cm above the mean water level, which means an increase of 23 cm. However, in other places, such as Diedrichshagen and Schönberg, the values ​​are significantly lower, in some cases even in the negative range. In tranquil Diedrichshagen the water is only at 32 cm, which is 18 cm below the mean water.

For the coastal region, this is another sign of the frequent storm surges that occur especially in the winter months. According to information from the Federal Environment Agency, the risk of severe flooding depends heavily on the wind intensity, the nature of the coast and the existing flood protection measures. The storm surges on the Baltic Sea coast are also favored by climatic changes, as they are often considered particularly dangerous in combination with high winds and side winds.

Damage caused by storm surges

The last dangerous storm surge in October caused significant damage amounting to 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz in particular is struggling to restore its infrastructure. The financial requirement there is around 42 million euros, while six million euros must be raised to replenish beaches and dunes. Vulnerable areas in the region are primarily threatened by constant changes in water levels, which is particularly challenging for coastal communities.

The ongoing problems and the frequent occurrence of storm surges are putting the region in a situation that can be dangerous for both residents and tourists. Flood warnings are distributed through various channels including radio, television, sirens and social media. Cities have been warned, and residents should also keep an eye on warning apps so that they can react quickly in the event of a storm surge.

Water safety is an important issue that always affects coastal communities. With a good hand in emergency planning and a close eye on water levels, the chances of successfully dealing with future flood events are better.

In order to continue to follow the current situation, you can view the water levels on Pegelportal MV or find out about the latest information from the Ostsee-Zeitung keep up to date. For detailed information on storm surge development and its consequences, we recommend taking a look at the website of the Federal Environment Agency (https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/monitoring-zur-das/handlungsfelder/kuesten-meeresschutz/km-i-3/anzeige).