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

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

Today, July 15, 2025, the Baltic Sea is once again the focus of attention. Storm surge warnings are in place as strong easterly winds are causing water levels to rise. Current forecasts signal that the water levels in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania near the Bay of Lübeck could be reached as a severe storm surge, while in Schleswig-Holstein values ​​of over 2.00 meters above the mean flood are forecast. This is reported by the star.

The Flensburg Fjord in particular is mentioned as a hotspot, where water levels could even rise up to 2.00 meters above mean high water. Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt from Schleswig-Holstein urges coastal residents to be careful and informs them about the warning measures that have been mobilized. The German Weather Service is forecasting hurricane-like gusts of up to 110 km/h for the coming night.

Current water levels and historical values

The measuring stations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, including Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald, not only display the current water levels, but also provide historical context information. The highest level in Warnemünde was measured at 770 cm on November 13, 1872, while the lowest water level ever recorded was 332 cm on October 18, 1967. According to the Baltic Sea newspaper The mean high water (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 at 1.00 meters above the mean water level, while a very severe storm surge reaches over 2.00 meters. During the last severe storm surge in October, damage amounting to 56 million euros was recorded, particularly in the city of Sassnitz, which reported a financial need of around 42 million euros to restore the infrastructure. In addition, an amount of 6 million euros was allocated to compensate for sand losses on beaches and dunes.

Measures to avert danger

In view of the impending storm surge, numerous prevention and information measures are being taken. Residents are informed via warning channels such as radio, television, sirens and digital billboards. In Denmark, the police have taken action and are warning residents and holidaymakers to leave the coastal area by Friday morning. The southern coasts of Lolland, Falster and Funen as well as the fjords of Haderslev, Aabenraa and Flensburg are particularly affected. Here, water levels could rise up to 2.4 meters above normal.

The volume of storm warnings and preparation for possible flooding cannot be overestimated. The ferry connections between Rostock and Gedser have also been suspended due to the storm surge warnings, which is severely affecting mobility in the region. Events on the coasts of the Baltic Sea will continue to be closely monitored, as the flood could last up to 40 hours - longer than similar events in recent years.

The current water levels and forecasts show that timely information and preparation for coastal residents is crucial. It remains to be hoped that the region will get off lightly and major damage can be avoided.