Danger! Severe storm surge warning on the Baltic Sea – water levels are rising rapidly!

Danger! Severe storm surge warning on the Baltic Sea – water levels are rising rapidly!

Storm surge warnings will be issued on the German Baltic Sea coast on June 16, 2025. Meteorological conditions have worsened and a strong easterly wind has moved into the region. This means that the water levels in Schleswig-Holstein are expected to be more than 1.50 meters above mean high water. The Flensburg Fjord is particularly affected, where water levels could even reach up to 2.00 meters. The German Weather Service has also announced hurricane-force gusts of up to 110 km/h for the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea coast, which will apply from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the flood near the Bay of Lübeck is expected to be a severe storm surge, although the situation there could be milder than in other areas [Stern] reports.

In Warnemünde, one of the most important measuring stations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the average highest water level (MHW) for the period from 2010 to 2020 is given as 617 cm. The highest flood level (HHW) was recorded on November 13, 1872 at 770 cm. Flood warnings are issued through various channels, including radio, television and social media. In this regard, the last severe storm surge in October 2023, which caused damage of around 56 million euros, is a burning memory. The city of Sassnitz alone needs around 42 million euros to restore its infrastructure [Ostsee-Zeitung] reports.

Water levels and preparations

The water levels in Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald are currently changing. Flood levels are classified into different categories: a storm surge begins at 1 meter above the mean water level, while a very severe storm surge is over 2 meters. Water levels of at least 1.50 meters are expected in the region this week, which means serious preparation. Coastal residents are called upon to inform themselves about the situation and take appropriate precautionary measures after the relevant authorities issued a warning [Ostsee-Zeitung] [BSH] reported.

The situation in Denmark is also alarming, where police are asking residents in the south and east of the country to leave their coastal areas by Friday morning. Flooding and dangerous conditions are expected there due to rising water levels, which could reach up to 2.4 meters above normal. Beach clearing and steep bank demolitions are also possible here in the affected areas [Stern] reports.

What's in store for the region?

The weather-related challenges are diverse. The storm surge could last up to 40 hours - longer than similar events in 2017 and 2019. While the flood is unlikely to be as dramatic in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, citizens still need to be prepared. Beach ridges at the mouth of the mucus could be flooded, causing further disruption to everyday life.

The hydrological situation reports are prepared monthly and contain information on water level and water temperature. In the event of storm surges, both the meteorological and hydrological conditions are precisely documented [BSH] reports. It is clear that these natural events affect not only the coastline but also the entire region, affecting infrastructure, residents and tourists.

It is important for applicants in the area, both residents and travelers, to prepare well in advance and follow local news in order to respond appropriately to the unfolding events.

The situation requires a cool head and quick action, because as is often the case in nature: prevention is better than cure. There really is something there!