The focus on Baltic Sea levels: flood warnings for the coast!

The focus on Baltic Sea levels: flood warnings for the coast!

Wismar, Deutschland - The coasts of the Baltic Sea are in the spotlight again. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the current levels that were measured on June 16, 2025 alert the residents strong. In particular, the measuring stations in Wismar, Warnemünde, Althagen, Barth, Stralsund, Sassnitz and Greifswald show significantly increased water levels. This development not only attracts attention, but also concern. The [Ostsee-Zeitung] (https://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/lokales/ostsee-hochwasser-aktuelle-pegelstaende-in-rostock-gregswald-am-am-am-2025-js46p6derzebzc2mvfmuylze. The roller coaster of the water levels, which has produced extreme tensions in recent years.

what many do not know are the background of these water levels. The bitch "medium low water" (MNW) and "medium flood" (MHW) are important clues. For Warnemünde, the average low value is 407 cm and the maximum value 617 cm. The highest flood level there was measured on November 13, 1872 with 770 cm, 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 effects they have on the infrastructure.

set on storm surges

storm surges are among the greatest natural hazards on the coast. They arise from strong wind that literally builds up the water. The coastal areas are particularly affected, where the last severe storm surge last October led to considerable damage of 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 for compensating for the flood -related sand loss on beaches and dunes. This shows how important it is to prepare for this extreme weather, which, according to BSH, divided into three classes: from easy to very heavy storm floods.

Currently there are only five storm surges in the Baltic Sea season 2022/2023. In comparison, there were 13 storm surges on the North Sea in the 2023/2024 season. So there are clear differences that are due to the respective coastal protection and the associated political decisions. The Federal Environment Agency also warns that the increase in sea levels will increase the starting level for future storm surges through climate change.

keep an eye on the warning

In the past, flood centers, the federal government, the federal states, the police and fire brigade have ensured that warnings are spread quickly and reliably. These warnings are made via a wide variety of channels: from radio and television to loudspeaker cars and sirens to new media such as websites, warning apps and social media. The constant observation of the weather conditions ensures that the citizens are informed in good time and can adjust to possible risks.

summarized can be said: 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 possible damage and ensure the safety of the residents. The latest developments show that despite all efforts, nature remains unpredictable.