Flood alarm in Saxony: Rising level values ​​of the Elbe endanger Dresden!

On January 5, 2025, the Situation on the Elbe is still tense because current flood warnings for Saxony were published. The Elbe, one of the largest rivers in Europe, rises in the Czech Republic and crosses East Germany and Hamburg before it flows into the North Sea at Brunsbüttel. Important cities along the river include Dresden, Dessau, Magdeburg and Wittenberge.

The level in Dresden plays a crucial role in the flood warnings. The terms "medium low water" (MNW) and "medium flood" (MHW) relate to average values ​​that are calculated over certain periods. The MNW is determined from the lowest annual value of the past ten years. Wirrobes over 5.50 meters lead to the blocking of the terrace bank in Dresden, while with a level of 6.10 meters on Weißeritzstraße and 7 meters on the Ostraufer Mobile Flood Scorer.

flood warning levels in Saxony

In Saxony there are four alarm levels for floods that require far -reaching measures to prevent danger. Alarm level 1 identifies the small flood, in which the waters start. Alarm level 2 shows a medium flood, which leads to flooding of grassland. Alarm level 3, the large flood, brings floods of land with it, while alarm level 4 is called very large flood and signaling the flooding of larger areas.

In addition, information on water levels in Dresden is available: the middle water level of the Elbe from November 2010 to October 2020 was 156 cm, while the lowest low water level was registered at 21 cm and the highest flood level at 940 cm. The highest water level of the Elbe near Dresden was measured on August 17, 2002 with 940 cm.

As described on the website of Environment.sachsen.de there are a total of 105 flood registration levels that are provided with alarm levels by the responsible lower water authority. These alarm levels are part of a comprehensive warning system that serves to inform the population about flood risk and recommend appropriate precautions. The warnings are carried out by radio, television and warning apps.

For further information on current levels and flood warnings, citizens can be the Saxon Consulting newspaper that regularly provides updates to the water conditions on the Elbe.