Storm floods on the Baltic Sea: How safe are we before the next flood?

On February 1, 2025, an increase in water levels will be observed on both the Baltic Sea and on the North Sea. According to a report by KN Online, storm surges on the Baltic Sea are a recurring phenomenon that occurs several times a year. The Federal Office for Sea shipping and hydrography documented five storm surges last season from July 2022 to June 2023 and even seven storm surges in the 2021/2022 season. Low water events were only registered twice in the 2022/2023 season and four times in the 2021/2022 season.

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 above the middle water level and a heavy storm surge is between 1.50 and 2.00 meters. Very heavy storm surges cross 2.00 meters. The resulting water levels near Kiel-Holtenau regularly show the middle water level of 504 cm (measured between November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2020), while the highest flood level is 797 cm, measured on November 13, 1872.

Current water levels and flood warnings

On the same day, a variety of current water levels were measured for several levels on the coastal systems, including: on the North Sea 395 cm, 465 cm on the Elbe and 470 cm on the Eider. These values are crucial for the assessment of the danger by storm surges. In Germany, the federal government, countries, circles, police and fire brigade are responsible for the flood warnings, with a flood center being active in every state. Warnings are communicated via various channels such as radio, television and digital media.

The rules of conduct during storm surges include the parking of electricity and gas, creating supplies of food and drinking water as well as the ready emergency numbers. Another important measure is to avoid bank areas and bring important personal things to higher floors.

more information about storm surge

The hsi also reports on the levels that were measured on February 1, 2025. These include water levels on the North Sea with 395 cm, 472 cm and the various measurements on the eider, some of which are above 444 cm. An overview of the low-level measurements shows the complexity of the constant changes in the water levels and their differences to the middle water.