Baltic Sea under pressure: Current water levels and storm flood warnings!

Baltic Sea under pressure: Current water levels and storm flood warnings!

In the Baltic Sea, the topic of floods is on everyone's lips again on June 22, 2025. According to the current measurements, the Baltic Sea newspaper The levels in the cities of Wismar, Warnemünde, and Greifswald show worrying tendencies. The caution of the responsible authorities is more in demand than ever because the Baltic Sea coast is known to be confronted with storm surges. But what does that mean for the residents and their security?

Current data from Warnemünde show that the middle water level was 507 cm between November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2020. During this time, the water levels vary with an average low water (MNW) of 407 cm and an average flood (MHW) of 617 cm, with the highest flood level being 770 cm since the start of the recordings. This leads to the questions: What happens when an increase happens? How do you prepare?

storm flood classes and their importance

When the water increases over the middle water level, experts speak of storm surges that are divided into different classes. The Federal Office for Sea shipping and hydrography this clearly regulated: a slight storm flood is between 1.00 and 1.25 m above the middle water level, which also go over very heavy storm flood 2.00 m increase. In view of the last serious storm surge in 2022, awareness of these risks has grown.

The last extreme flood events in recent years show that the risk of a storm surge should not be underestimated. In the last flood season alone, 13 storm surges were recorded and the effects are unmistakable. Municipalities such as Sassnitz report damage of 56 million euros, which affect the tourist infrastructure and the port protection systems.

How do I behave correctly?

The Prevention , especially for flood warnings, is central to those affected. In the event of impending floods, people should ensure that they have switched off their electricity and gas supply, are secured important personal things and that there are sufficient food and drinking water supplies. If the authority asks for evacuation, it is advisable to have the hand luggage immediately at hand and to look for protection on higher floors.