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Heavy rain warning for Schleswig-Holstein: risk of watering and flooding!
On September 16, 2025, the DWD warns of heavy rain in Schleswig-Holstein. Cities affected and possible dangers are explained.
Heavy rain warning for Schleswig-Holstein: risk of watering and flooding!
Today, September 17, 2025, the people of Schleswig-Holstein are under great strain because the region is facing a weather-related disaster. The weather forecasts seem gloomy, and the German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a warning of heavy rain and heavy rain for yesterday, Tuesday, September 16th. According to kn-online.de, in some parts of the country, especially in the districts of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Segeberg and Plön as well as in the cities of Kiel and Neumünster, with intense rainfall expected.
The DWD's warning levels are clear: Level 2 warns of 15 to 25 liters of rain per square meter in an hour, while level 3 already defines 25 to 40 liters per square meter in an hour. It is a serious situation because heavy rain can lead to rapid flooding of streets, underpasses and basements, cause aquaplaning and even lead to landslides.
Storm “Zack” is moving over northern Germany
Another adverse weather phenomenon, storm depression “Zack”, has been sweeping northern Germany with hurricane-force winds since Tuesday. According to tagesschau.de, the maximum speed of the storm on Helgoland was measured at 137 km/h. Even though there has been no major damage to property so far, the storm led to over 100 fire service calls in Schleswig-Holstein. Fallen trees in places like Simonsberg and at a campsite in Römnitz caused difficulties.
The security authorities advise the population to stay within their own four walls if possible during such stormy times. This is particularly important because the warning status for heavy rain and thunderstorms was valid until Tuesday at 5 p.m. and the storm should only be laughed at. Ferries in the Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania areas were also canceled, and the railway line to Sylt had to be closed briefly on Monday due to fallen trees.
Climate change and its effects
In the context of these weather events, it is becoming increasingly clear that the increase in extreme weather phenomena is closely linked to climate change. A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from August 2021 makes it clear that the Earth's surface temperature is rising faster than at any time in the last 2,000 years. According to wwf.de, human activities are the main cause of this global warming and thus also of the growing frequency of extreme weather events such as heavy rain.
Research shows that heavy rainfall in Western Europe has now become 1.2 to 9 times more likely due to climate change. The forecasts are alarming, with extreme weather events such as coastal flooding, which used to occur once every 100 years, now expected to occur annually. This makes it all the more important to take measures to limit global warming and the associated risks.
In the current situation, it is crucial that we all develop a good knack for dealing with these challenges. Weather phenomena like “Zack” and the predicted heavy rainfall are not only a cause for concern, but also a call to action, be it for the population, the authorities or the governments.