Flood on the Baltic Sea: alarm mood in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

Flood on the Baltic Sea: alarm mood in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

On July 15, 2025, the Baltic Sea is again the focus of attention. Storm flood warnings are available because a strong east wind drives the water levels up. Current forecasts signal that the water levels in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania near Lübeck Bay could be reached as a heavy storm surge, while in Schleswig-Holstein even values of over 2.00 meters are predicted above the middle flood. This is reported by the Stern .

In particular, the Flensburg Fjord is mentioned as a hotspot, where water levels could even rise up to 2.00 meters above the middle flood. Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt from Schleswig-Holstein warns the coastal residents for caution and provides information about the mobilized warning measures. The German Weather Service forecast even hurricane gusts of up to 110 km/h.

Current levels and historical values

The measuring stations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, including Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald, not only indicate the current water levels, but also offer historical context information. The maximum state in Warnemünde on November 13, 1872 was measured with 770 cm, while the lowest water level ever registered was 332 cm on October 18, 1967. According to the Ostsee-Zeitung The middle flood (MHW) for Warnemünde is 617 cm.

Some storm surge classes have been defined to better classify the intensity of such events: a storm surge begins from 1.00 meters above the middle water level, while a very heavy storm surge over 2.00 meters. In the last serious storm surge in October, damage of 56 million euros was accounted for, especially in the city of Sassnitz, which registered a financial need of around 42 million euros for the restoration of the infrastructure. In addition, there was an amount of 6 million euros to compensate for sand loss on beaches and dunes.

Measures for danger defense

With a view to the impending flood of storms, numerous prevention and information measures are taken. The residents are informed about warning channels such as radio, television, sirens and digital advertising boards. The police have become active in Denmark and warns residents and vacationers to leave the coastal area by Friday morning. The South Coasts of Lolland, Falster and Fünen as well as the funds of Haderslev, Aabenraa and Flensburg are particularly affected. Here the water levels could rise up to 2.4 meters above the normal value.

The volume of the storm warnings and the preparation for possible floods cannot be assessed highly enough. The ferry connections between Rostock and Gedser have also been set due to the storm flood warnings, which significantly affects mobility in the region. The action on the coasts of the Baltic Sea is still being followed carefully, because the flood could last up to 40 hours - longer than similar events in recent years.

The current water levels and the forecasts show that timely information and preparation of the coastal residents are decisive. It remains to be hoped that the region will get away lightly and that greater damage can be avoided.