Storm floods on the Baltic Sea: current water levels and warnings!

Storm floods on the Baltic Sea: current water levels and warnings!

storm floods on the Baltic Sea ensure increased water levels and timely flood warnings in Schleswig-Holstein. On January 7, 2025, several warnings were published by the Federal Office for Sea shipping and hydrography (BSH). According to the current water levels, several relevant heights could be recorded in the Baltic Sea region.

like kn-online.de Sturm floods on the Baltic Sea several times a year. In the period from July 2022 to June 2023, five storm surges were registered, while seven storm surges were recorded in the 2021/2022 season. In addition, there were two low water events in the 20222/2023 season and four low water events in the previous season.

water levels and flood warnings

The storm surge classes on the German Baltic Sea coast are defined as follows: a storm surge is between 1.00 and 1.25 meters above the middle water level, while an average storm surge between 1.25 and 1.50 meters and a severe storm surge is between 1.50 and 2.00 meters. Very heavy storm surges are registered at over 2.00 meters. The water levels near Kiel-Holtenau show an average water level (MW) of 504 cm over a period of ten years (01.11.2010-31.10.2020).

flood warnings are issued in Germany by various institutions, including the federal government, countries, circles, police and fire brigade. A flood center is active in every federal state, which distributes warnings about various channels, such as radio, television, speaker cars, sirens, websites, warning apps and social media. Recommendations for behavior in storm surges include the parking of electricity and gas, creating food and drinking water supplies as well as avoiding bank areas.

At the same time on January 7, 2025, various relevant level stalls were measured by hsi-sh.de . For example, a water level of 660 cm was registered on the trave, while the eider had different values between 475 cm and 1252 cm. The Elbe reached a water level of 660 cm around 10:40 p.m. and thus showed a difference to the astronomical tide of +101 cm.

-transmitted by West-Ost-media