Germany's Baltic coast faces first storm surge of the season

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has issued warnings for a storm surge along the German Baltic coast starting Saturday evening. Water levels are expected to rise significantly, with increases of up to 1.20 meters in the Kiel Bight and 1.30 meters in the Lübeck Bay.

Flensburg is particularly at risk. While official BSH projections suggest water levels between 1.12 and 1.24 meters above normal, Danish weather models indicate a more severe scenario, potentially reaching 1.64 meters. If water levels exceed 1.10 meters in Flensburg, the sea is expected to overflow the quay edge at the Schiffbrücke in the city center.

In response, the city of Flensburg is distributing sandbags to residents at the Marktwache on the Exe to assist with flood prevention. Authorities in Flensburg and Wismar are advising residents to avoid danger zones and to refrain from parking vehicles in low-lying coastal areas.