Danger of flooding on the Elbe: Dresden under warning level!

On January 12, 2025, the reported Dresden Latest News about the current flood situation on the Elbe, one of the largest rivers in Europe, which rises in the Czech Republic and flows through eastern Germany and Hamburg before flowing into the North Sea. The most important cities along the Elbe include Dresden, Dessau, Magdeburg and Wittenberge. Current warnings for floods in Saxony are particularly relevant as the water level in Dresden is the focus.

The water level is crucial, as the Terrassenufer in Dresden is closed at levels above 5.5 meters. Accesses affected during floods include Mickten, Johannstadt and Pieschener Allee. Mobile flood protection gates are activated at a water level of 6.10 meters (Weißeritzstraße), and at 7 meters (Ostraufer) as well. The different flood warning levels in Saxony are alarming: Alert level 1 signals small floods, while alert level 4 indicates very large floods that can lead to significant flooding.

Flood warnings and water levels

The Saxon environmental authority updated water level data on January 12, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. Currently the flood warning gauges do not show current data, however there has been a rise in water levels of more than 5cm in the last two hours, so alert levels 1 to 4 have been activated, indicating a potential risk of flooding. There are currently no flood warnings issued, however local flooding caused by heavy rain cannot be accurately predicted.

The highest water level of the Elbe near Dresden was recorded at 940 cm on August 17, 2002. The current comparative values ​​show: The mean water level (MW) is 156 cm from November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2020, the lowest low water level (NNW) was 21 cm, while the highest high water level (HHW) has ever reached 940 cm. Flood warnings are coordinated by authorities such as federal, state, district, police and fire departments.