Flood alarm on the Baltic Sea: Current water levels at a glance!

Flood alarm on the Baltic Sea: Current water levels at a glance!

Today the water levels in the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are again a big topic. As the Baltic Sea newspaper reported, the water levels are closely monitored at various measuring stations. The cities of Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald are particularly affected.

Here are some current water levels as of June 13, 2025:

• Zingst: 523 cm (Differenz zum Mittelwasser: 17 cm)
• Bodstedt: 525 cm (Differenz zum Mittelwasser: 16 cm)
• Ralswiek: 520 cm (Differenz zum Mittelwasser: 12 cm)

The meaning of water levels

The current overview shows that water levels can vary greatly in different regions. An example is Börzow with a water level of 121 cm at 4:30 p.m. and a difference of 6 cm to the mean water level. In contrast, Questin reports a water level of only 88 cm, which is 25 cm below mean water. These values ​​are crucial for providing early warning of possible storm surges, which often occur on the German coast, especially in the winter months.

In Warnemünde, the average values ​​for mean low water (MNW) and mean high water (MHW) over the last ten years - 407 cm and 617 cm respectively - have established themselves as relevant indicators. The highest flood level was recorded on November 13, 1872 at 770 cm, while the lowest level was on October 18, 1967 at 332 cm. This historical data highlights the importance of continually monitoring water levels.

Risks and damage from storm surges

The past storm surges, which were particularly severe in 2017 and 2019, caused serious damage. The last significant storm surge in October 2022 caused losses of 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz in particular said it needed around 42 million euros to restore infrastructure, while another 6 million euros were planned to compensate for sand-related damage to beaches.

The Federal Environment Agency points out that storm surges represent a major natural hazard, especially when there are strong winds in an onshore direction. The risk depends on factors such as wind intensity and technical flood protection measures in the affected regions.

As sea levels continue to rise due to climate change, the baseline level for storm surges becomes higher. Although an increase in storm surge frequency is not guaranteed, the intensity of future storm surges could increase. This poses increased risks for coastal areas, which is why rapid reactions and warning systems are essential.

To inform the population, warnings are issued through various channels, including radio, television, sirens and social media. It is crucial that citizens are informed about the risks and know how to act in the event of a flood.

Overall, today shows how important it is to continuously monitor water levels and take preventative measures to protect the population. The current water levels and the dangers posed by storm surges are not just numbers, but also reflect the reality that residents have to live with.