Baltic Sea water levels at the limit: risk of flooding for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

Baltic Sea water levels at the limit: risk of flooding for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

In the last few days, the water levels on the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have caught up. On June 27, 2025, a comprehensive assessment of the water levels at various measuring stations will be taken. Current measurements show that the water levels are stable overall, but there are regional differences. In Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald the values are important, like Baltic Sea Newspaper reported.

One of the most important figures on this day is the water level in Zingst at 514 cm, which is only 7 cm above the mean water level. Elsewhere in Bodstedt a value of 512 cm was found. Another notable measuring point is Ralswiek, where the water level climbs to 536 cm, which means a difference of 28 cm to the mean water level. At the other end of the spectrum, however, values ​​such as 29 cm in Schönberg and 23 cm in Hohen Viecheln can also be observed.

Water levels under observation

A closer look at the water levels shows that it is not just the highest flood levels that have shown anomalies in recent years. The highest value in Warnemünde was recorded on November 13, 1872 with 770 cm. In contrast, the lowest water level of 332 cm, recorded on October 18, 1967, is considered the historical limit. A division into storm surge classes illustrates the urgency of the situation: storm surges are classified as 1.00 to 1.25 m above the mean water level, while very severe storm surges are over 2.00 m.

The last major storm surge last October caused damage amounting to 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz in particular faces a financial need of approximately 42 million euros to restore infrastructure, while 6 million euros are needed to compensate for the loss of sand on beaches and dunes. The challenges can be mitigated by supporting warning systems provided by various institutions such as the police and fire departments. These warnings reach citizens through various channels, from radio to social media to face-to-face.

Climate factors and flood risk

However, global trends show that flooding is not just a local problem. Since 2000, floods have caused almost 37 percent of all natural disasters worldwide. According to Statista, changes caused by climate change and the destruction of natural floodplains are largely responsible for the more frequent and more intense flood events. In Germany, 7.6 percent of all addresses are already exposed to a statistical risk of flooding, which puts around 400,000 people at risk in the coming years.

The flood events of 2021, particularly in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, with record rainfall demonstrate the vulnerability of our infrastructure. Although the Bundestag has drawn up measures to finance a reconstruction fund of 30 billion euros, this process is complex and lengthy. New concepts to avoid risky buildings are urgently needed.

The current situation on the Baltic Sea coast and the stable water levels give us a brief respite, but the challenges in flood protection remain hanging over the regions like the sword of Damocles.

We should remain vigilant and keep an eye on natural conditions and changes to minimize future damage, and adapting our construction to reality is more important than ever.