Flood warning on the Baltic Sea: water levels alert citizens!

Flood warning on the Baltic Sea: water levels alert citizens!

On November 11, 2025, the coastal region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will have to contend with worrying water levels on the Baltic Sea. Various measuring stations, including Wismar, Warnemünde and Sassnitz, record current high and low water levels. The challenge is compounded by the looming storm surges, which are divided into four classes: from regular storm surges to very severe storm surges, which are more than 2 meters above the mean water level. These classifications are important to accurately assess the risk to residents and infrastructure. The highest level at the Warnemünde measuring station is currently 770 cm. The highest flood level ever recorded dates back to November 13, 1872 and makes it clear in what critical dimensions we have to think here.

The terms “average low water” (MNW) with 407 cm and “average high water” (MHW) with 617 cm in Warnemünde, which were determined over a period of ten years, are always mentioned in the state’s reports. According to the Ostsee-Zeitung, it is also important to follow the rules of conduct during storm surges: electricity and gas should be turned off, important personal items should be moved to higher floors and a supply of food and drinking water should be stocked up. It is also advisable to always have a battery-operated radio ready to stay informed about current developments.

Risks and damages

The last serious storm surges that raged across the region in October caused damage amounting to 56 million euros. After these events, the city of Sassnitz in particular reported a financial need of around 42 million euros to restore the infrastructure. These natural events not only have a direct impact on the lives of people on the coast, but also draw attention to the long-term challenges of our time - global climate change, which favors flood events and therefore increases their occurrence.

Loud Statista Floods are the most common natural disaster worldwide, causing nearly 37 percent of all natural disasters since 2000. This is an alarming figure as many regions in Germany, particularly along the Rhine and its tributaries, are increasingly at risk of flooding. According to estimates, around 400,000 people in Germany could be at risk in the coming years. Factors such as the destruction of natural flood plains and the sealing of soils increase this risk.

Preparations and warning systems

The flood warning system in Germany is well organized, and warnings are issued by various institutions. Citizens can currently be informed in a timely manner via various channels such as radio, television and smartphone apps. These effective warning systems are crucial. Because like that Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency explained, storm surges on the North Sea can also be understood in similar dimensions - they are divided into three classes, whereby the highest classifications can even be over 3.5 meters above the mean flood.

It is already important to focus on expanding flood protection today. Because nature never sleeps, and it is up to us to be well prepared for the challenges of the future. Only through innovative ideas and comprehensive measures can the risk of future flood events endangering not only the infrastructure but also the lives of countless people be reduced.