Flood risk: Current levels on the Baltic Sea in view!

Flood risk: Current levels on the Baltic Sea in view!

The Baltic Sea, an important water that not only encloses Germany, but also several other countries, is currently shaped by attention and concerns. At various measuring stations such as Heiligenhafen, Neustadt and Wismar, the water levels are observed closely, while the possibility of flooding starts a preventive warning system.

A particularly critical topic is the definition of the water levels. The term "medium low water" (MNW) describes the average deepest water level, while "medium flood" (MHW) specifies the highest average stand over a longer period of time. These values are crucial to understand to what extent the water could increase dangerously.

What do the different warning levels mean?

In terms of flood warnings, it is important to know that the alarm levels are regulated differently depending on the region. A total of four stages are differentiated in Lower Saxony:

• Alarm level 1: Small flood, first signs of excess.
• alarm level 2: Medium flood, endangers agricultural areas.
• Alarm level 3: Large floods, flooding of roads and land are possible.
• alarm level 4: very large flood, requires immediate measures.

Current levels and their importance

Another important topic is the currently measured water levels in the Bay of Lübeck. These values that are measured in centimeters play an important role in assessing the flood risk. Past values show that the highest water level near Neustadt was 782 centimeters, measured on November 13, 1872.

The value of the middle flood level is an average of 630 centimeters over a period of ten years. The monitoring of these values is not only done by local authorities, but also through the flood centers, which spend warnings in the event of an increase in water levels. These institutional warnings can be distributed via different channels, including radio, television and modern warning apps.

The flood portal also offers current information for citizens in order to find out in good time and avoid possible damage. Especially at a time when climatic changes play an ever greater role, monitoring of the water levels is more important than ever.

for more information about the current levels and the associated warnings, see the reporting on www.ln-online.de .