Baltic Sea under pressure: risk of flooding in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is growing!

Baltic Sea under pressure: risk of flooding in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is growing!

Today, July 3, 2025, the water levels on the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania show worrying values. The latest measurements from various stations such as Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald document the critical situation, which is exacerbated by a combination of flood events and climate change. According to Ostsee-Zeitung, flood warnings according to the defined storm surge classes are urgently needed. In Warnemünde, an average low water level of 407 cm and an average high water level of 617 cm have been recorded in recent years, while severe storm surges have already caused peaks of over 2 meters above normal water levels.

In addition, flood damage on the German Baltic Sea coast is by no means a rare phenomenon: the last severe storm surge in October 2024 had a significant impact on the local infrastructure with an estimated cost of 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz alone reported a financial need of around 42 million euros for urgent restoration measures.

Infrastructure and flood protection

Flood risk management is becoming increasingly important due to the current situation. With the help of flood hazard maps, authorities and the public gain insight into the potential threat to affected zones. According to the government website LUNG M-V, the extent of flooding and water depths are recorded precisely. These maps are crucial to mitigating negative impacts on economic activities and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The introduction of flood warning areas helps to better identify regions at risk and to provide relevant information about areas at risk of flooding. A next review of these maps is due by December 22, 2025, and new data will be published every six years thereafter.

Legal requirements and risks

General flood development is not just a local problem; it is symptomatic of a global trend. According to Statista, floods are the most common natural disasters worldwide, and global climate change poses additional risks. In Germany, almost 7.6 percent of all addresses are potentially affected by flooding, which will endanger around 400,000 residents in the coming years, particularly along the Rhine and its tributaries.

The loss of natural floodplains due to development, the straightening of rivers and the increasing sealing of soils have further exacerbated the risk of flooding. A rethink in the way we deal with natural areas and greater consideration in political planning are urgently needed in order to minimize future damage and ensure a secure future.