Baltic Sea water levels in focus: flood warnings for the coast!

Baltic Sea water levels in focus: flood warnings for the coast!

The coast of the Baltic Sea is once again in the spotlight. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the current water levels, which were measured on June 16, 2025, are seriously alarming residents. The measuring stations in Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald in particular show significantly increased water levels. This development is not only attracting attention, but also concern. The Ostsee-Zeitung reports in detail about the rollercoaster of water levels that have occurred in recent times has created extreme tensions for years.

What many people don't know is the background to these water levels. The “Average Low Water” (MNW) and “Average High Water” (MHW) bitches provide important clues. For Warnemünde, the average low is 407 cm and the highest is 617 cm. The highest flood level there was measured at 770 cm on November 13, 1872, while the lowest value was 332 cm on October 18, 1967. Such extreme values ​​naturally raise the question of how often such storms actually occur and what impact they have on the infrastructure.

Be prepared for storm surges

Storm surges are one of the greatest natural hazards on the coast. They are caused by strong winds that literally build up the water. The coastal areas are particularly affected, where the last severe storm surge last October caused significant damage amounting to 56 million euros. The city of Sassnitz reported a financial requirement of around 42 million euros to restore the infrastructure and an additional 6 million euros to compensate for the flood-related sand losses on beaches and dunes. This shows how important it is to prepare for these weather extremes, which, according to BSH, are divided into three classes: from mild to very severe storm surges.

There are currently only five storm surges recorded in the 2022/2023 Baltic Sea season. In comparison, there were 13 storm surges in the North Sea in the 2023/2024 season. So there are clear differences that can be traced back to the respective coastal protection and the associated political decisions. The Federal Environment Agency also warns that sea level rise due to climate change will increase the baseline levels for future storm surges.

Keep the warning in mind

In the past, flood control centers, federal, state, police and fire departments have ensured that warnings are distributed quickly and reliably. These warnings are sent via a wide variety of channels: from radio and television to loudspeaker trucks and sirens to new media such as websites, warning apps and social media. Constant monitoring of the weather situation ensures that citizens are informed in good time and can prepare for possible risks.

In summary, floods and storm surges are more than just meteorological terms. They are part of the reality of our coastal regions and require active management to prevent potential damage and ensure the safety of local residents. The latest developments show that despite all efforts, nature remains unpredictable.