Storm surge Detlef hits the North Sea coast: water levels rise dramatically!

Storm surge Detlef hits the North Sea coast: water levels rise dramatically!

Violent storm surges have reached Germany's North Sea coast and the weather remains unpleasant. On October 5, 2025, that warned Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency before water levels that are up to two meters above mean high water. The Ems, Weser and Elbe regions are primarily affected, where the effects of the stormy weather are clearly noticeable. Together with that German Weather Service, which expects gusts of up to 100 km/h, heavy rain is expected in the coming days.

The storm surge is already having a significant impact on ferry traffic in northern Germany. In particular, connections to the islands of Amrum and Föhr are severely affected, with numerous delays and cancellations. In some cases, such as between Schlüttsiel and the Halligen, the ferry service was completely stopped Wyker steamship shipping company reported. Operations between Rostock and Gedser in Denmark also had to be stopped completely due to the storms.

Damage and injuries caused by storms

The weather conditions can not only be disturbing but also dangerous. There were power outages in several federal states, and local authorities recommend keeping a distance from dikes, harbors and waterfront promenades. In the southern Black Forest, a fallen tree seriously injured two people who were in a vehicle. In Bad Sobernheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, an angler was hit by a falling branch and had to be taken to hospital in a rescue helicopter. Such incidents show how seriously the current situation should be taken.

In Schleswig-Holstein, windsurfers have discovered the high waves on the North Sea island of Sylt, but safety there remains in constant danger given the severe weather warnings. Sometimes you can turn the bad into something good, but the dangers of such a situation should always be present in the back of your mind.

The situation in other regions

The storm surges are not just limited to Germany; Storm “Detlef” also caused chaos in Norway and Scotland. Tens of thousands of households there are without power, and passengers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol have to reckon with around 150 canceled flights. While Germany's coastal regions are under water, the fish market and other low-lying areas in Hamburg had to be temporarily evacuated.

How long the storm will last is uncertain, but persistent rain and cool, moist air masses are expected until Monday. This could not only further aggravate the situation along the coasts, but could also have an impact in the Alpine region, where fresh snow is expected from an altitude of 1,500 meters. The coming days will be decisive in determining how the situation in the affected regions develops.