Flood alarm on the Elbe: levels exceed critical values!

On January 7, 2025, the levels of the Elbe in Saxony are of great importance because current flood warnings were issued. The Elbe, one of the largest rivers in Europe, rises in the Czech Republic and flows through several important cities in Germany, including Dresden and Magdeburg, before it flows into the North Sea at Brunsbüttel. In Dresden, medium low water (MNW) of 67 cm and a medium flood (MHW) of 458 cm applies, based on average values from 2010 to 2020.

The highest flood area in Dresden is 940 cm and was registered on August 17, 2002. Critical levels are crucial for the security measures in the region: from a level of 5.50 m, the terrace bank is blocked and the flood rind in Kaditz and Mickten becomes impassable. With an increase to 6.10 m, mobile flood scores are activated and the Ostraufer is affected at 7 m. The flood warning levels in Saxony range from alarm level 1 to alarm level 4, whereby each level indicates different flood risks.

Current water levels and forecasts

like Environment Saxony , the water levels were last updated on January 7, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. There are currently no current flood warnings, but the water level has exceeded the alarm levels in the last hours. The levels that are responsible for flood reports are currently not showing any active data. A tendency of the low water is an increase of more than 5 cm in the last two hours, while the values for rising or falling water can remain stable.

It is pointed out that local floods cannot be precisely predicted by heavy rain. Floods can occur locally and regionally and the warnings are based on observed water levels and hydrological predictions. The contact points of the LHWZ registration center are available for more information on level data.